The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport is set to receive a P381.54 million budget under the 2026 General Appropriations Act, a 49 percent increase from its P256.02 million allocation in 2025.
The increase, totaling P119 million, reflects additional funding requested during budget deliberations before Senate and House committees, APECO president Gil Taway said in an interview Tuesday.
“This is what was approved by the President, though it has yet to be officially announced,” Taway said.
The funding will go toward completing unfinished projects and initiating key infrastructure developments within the economic zone. Among the projects slated for 2026 are the bidding for the STP2 facility in January and a corporate office building in February.
Work is ongoing for the first phase of an expressway, while planning for the second phase aims to improve access from APECO to the envisioned Bangas Point port. The second phase of a grand lagoon and the rehabilitation of the JPEC Beachfront Villas for tourism, including an additional 48 hotel rooms, are also part of the plan.
Taway said the airport project may receive 2026 funding specifically for a terminal building, with completion expected by August or September if bidding proceeds as scheduled. The terminal, designed for 40- to 60-seat turboprop flights, will enable APECO to transition from chartered flights to commercial operations.
He emphasized that while the budget will not cover the seaport, savings from ongoing projects and prior allocations will help fund additional infrastructure, including a potential air traffic control tower.
“Incrementally, step by step, we aim to show the Congress and national government that APECO is worthy of their confidence and continued funding support,” Taway said.
APECO also plans to use unspent funds from prior appropriations, including P107 million from corporate campus development projects, to complete a ready-for-occupancy building, the corporate office building, and the first phase of a convention center with a planned capacity of 1,500 people.
