17 airport projects completed in first half of Duterte’s term : DOTr

July 9, 2019

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) aviation and airports sector and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), has completed 17 commercial airport projects, with 28 more ongoing, in the first half of President Rodrigo Duterte’s term.

In a statement Tuesday, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade highlighted the vital importance of air connectivity in regional development.

“By building new airports and rehabilitating existing ones, the transportation sector contributes to both regional and national progress,” Tugade said.

During the first half of Duterte’s term, two new international airports have been built: the Lal-Lo International Airport in Cagayan, and the country’s first eco-airport, the Bohol-Panglao International Airport.

Fifteen other existing gateways have also been upgraded, two of which are international and 13 domestic.

Under rehabilitated international airports, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) opened its new passenger terminal building last year, boosting annual capacity to 13.5 million passengers.

The Puerto Princesa Airport’s passenger terminal building was expanded, and its runway extended to accommodate larger aircraft.

Last Friday, Ormoc Airport’s new facilities, including a renovated passenger terminal building and a widened runway, were inaugurated by Duterte. 

Infrastructure developments for domestic airports of Virac, Marinduque, Tuguegarao, San Vicente, and Busuanga in Luzon; Maasin, Tacloban, and Catarman in the Visayas; and Ipil, Camiguin, and Siargao in Mindanao, have been accomplished.

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the country’s main gateway, continues the rehabilitation works for its Terminal 2, the transportation department said.

These include the expansion of departure check-in hall and arrival baggage area; architectural improvements in passenger movement areas; upgrade of aerobridge areas and elevated roadway; new glass wall panels and partitions; upgrade of air-conditioning system, power, lighting, fire protection, and electronics and communications systems; installation of an improved flight information display system and a new public address system; and waterproofing works for building exterior, among others.

Additional facilities at the Sangley Airport in Cavite are under round the clock construction to meet the November 2019 deadline of Duterte to start general aviation and turboprop operations.

Construction is also ongoing for the second passenger terminal building of the Clark International Airport. The expansion is seen to increase the CRK’s overall capacity to 12.2 million passengers annually. An additional runway is also set for construction.

Plans are underway for the proposed New Manila International Airport in Bulacan. Opening of bids is on July 31, 2019.

The Bicol International Airport is more than halfway complete. The airport is expected to accommodate two million passengers per year, and is targeted for completion in 2020.

International airports in Davao, General Santos, Zamboanga, Iloilo, Kalibo, and Laoag are undergoing improvements.

Development projects continue, as well, for domestic airports in Busuanga, Cauayan, Naga, and Tuguegarao in Luzon; Bacolod-Silay, Calbayog, Catbalogan, Dumaguete, and Tacloban in the Visayas; and Bukidnon, Ipil, Laguinduingan, Mati, M’lang, Ozamiz, Sanga-Sanga, Siargao, and Surigao in Mindanao.

“A number of airports we have rehabilitated were in a dismal state when we took over. We are proud of what we have already accomplished, but we know that we can do more. With the guidance of our hardworking Secretary Tugade, we will continue to build, build, build towards the ‘Golden Age of Infrastructure’,” CAAP Director General Jim Sydiongco said. DMS