DOTr sets aside P1.14 billion for upgrade of regional airports

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will spend P1.14 billion for the improvement of several regional gateways, the bulk of which is intended for airports in President Marcos’ home region of Ilocos.

A set of bidding invitations issued by the DOTr showed that it is spending P1.14 billion for airport upgrades in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Eastern Samar and Cotabato.

The DOTr is investing the largest amount of P596.42 million for the Laoag International Airport Development Project, composed of civil works to enhance the runway in the gateway.

The DOTr is also allocating as much as P72.42 million for the asphalt overlay of the runway in Vigan Airport, plus P194 million mainly for the construction of a turning pad, among others, at the Borongan Airport in Samar.

Likewise, the DOTr is spending up to P281.19 million for the rehabilitation and upgrade of the runway at the Central Mindanao Airport, also known as M’lang Airport. The agency will hold a pre-bid conference for the contracts on June 27.

Upon signing the contracts, the DOTr is giving the winning bidders the following deadlines: 360 days for Laoag, 150 days for Vigan, 300 days for Borongan and 270 days for M’lang.

For the year, the DOTr has set aside P14 billion in its budget for the development and upgrade of regional airports, doubling down on its initiative to connect islands across the archipelago.

The agency is spending the amount for airport projects in at least 22 cities and towns outside of Metro Manila in hopes that the undertakings will help in boosting travel and tourism.

Further, the DOTr is exploring public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements for the upgrade of airports in Bacolod, Bohol, Davao, Iloilo, Kalibo, Puerto Princesa and Siargao. Also, the agency will turn over the operations and maintenance of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to the San Miguel-led private consortium by September.

The PPP deal for NAIA is the largest concession awarded by the Marcos administration to date. The contract, amounting to P170.6 billion, was bagged by the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp., led by Ramon Ang’s San Miguel Corp.

The DOTr is also keen on awarding within the year the concession for the Laguindingan Airport, the main gateway to Northern Mindanao, especially to Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Marawi.