The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said a new and modernized Dumaguete Airport will address regional connectivity in Western Visayas and air traffic in the region.
“This new and expanded airport will address the increasing number of air traffic to and from Dumaguete,” Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said.
The new Dumaguete Airport will see a brand-new runway, taxiway, passenger and cargo terminal buildings, control tower and various aeronautical facilities.
Once completed, the new regional airport will increase passenger capacity from 800,000 to 2 million annually.
The Department of Finance (DOF) earlier signed a P13.5-billion loan agreement with the Korean government, through the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM), to finance the new Dumaguete Airport Development Project.
With a total cost of P17.06 billion, the new Dumaguete City Airport project covers 197.55 hectares of land development in the municipality of Bacong, Negros Oriental to construct a new airport facility that complies with domestic and international standards for operational safety and efficiency.
Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said the new Dumaguete Airport would enhance regional connectivity and support air travel in Western Visayas.
“On a broader scale, this new airport will advance our capacity to welcome a surge of tourists in the post-pandemic era,” Recto said.
