DOTr programs privatization of 10 airports

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) plans to privatize the operations and maintenance of 10 more regional airports by 2028 to improve connectivity across the archipelago.

DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon identified these airports as Iloilo, Davao, Siargao, Laoag, Busuanga, Bicol, Tacloban, Bacolod-Silay, General Santos and Puerto Princesa.

Dizon committed to Pres. Marcos the privatization of these airports using the public-private partnership (PPP) procees.

To make the project financially viable, the government is considering bundling multiple airports into a single contract.

“Government should really focus on making sure that a lot of areas have at least an airstrip, have an airfield, for logistics, for emergencies, for disaster response,” Dizon said.

The first airport likely to be privatized would likely be Iloilo, he said. An existing unsolicited project proposal has been submitted by the Villar group.

In addition, he said the airport projects would boost tourism activities, especially in island destinations like Puerto Princesa and Siargao.

Last June 16, government turned over the Bohol-Panglao International Airport (BPIA) to Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. (AIC).

AIC commits to expands BPIA’s capacity from 2 million to 2.5 million passengers per annum within the first two years. By 2030, AIC targets to further increase annual passenger capacity to 3.9 million.

AIC now has three airports in its portfolio, including Mactan-Cebu International Airport and Laguindingan airport.

Last year, the government also awarded the operations and maintenance contract of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to the San Miguel Corporation-led consortium.