DOTr completes P6.6 billion regional airport projects

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has delivered P6.6 billion worth of airport projects so far under the Marcos administration, benefiting travel and tourism in the regions.

In a report, the DOTr said it has completed 48 projects to date upgrading regional airports in compliance with President Marcos’ directive to invest in aviation infrastructure.

The DOTr has spent P6.6 billion for these projects, distributing the amount for various upgrades of airports in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The largest of these airport projects include the construction of new facilities at the Vigan Airport and the establishment of another taxiway at the Davao International Airport.

The agency has also rehabilitated the passenger terminal buildings of the airports in Butuan and General Santos City.

Moreover, the DOTr has enhanced the gateways to Bacolod, Basco, Busuanga, Cauayan, Cuyo, Laoag and Palanan. The agency said more projects are underway with the goal of building up inter-island connectivity.

For 2025, the DOTr is seeking P12 billion from Congress for its aviation infrastructure program, still prioritizing the rehabilitation and upgrade of regional airports.

Improving provincial gateways is seen as one way to disperse economic growth, as it encourages airlines to connect the regions to the rest of the archipelago and outside the Philippines.

For instance, low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific yesterday announced that it is bringing back overseas flights from Davao, sparing travelers from Mindanao of the hassle of having to head to Manila to fly abroad.

Cebu Pacific will begin flying direct between Davao and Bangkok, by way of Don Mueang, on Oct. 28. The route will be flown thrice a week, giving travelers multiple options in reaching tourist hotspot Thailand.

In addition, Cebu Pacific will be flying daily from Davao to Caticlan and to Puerto Princesa starting Oct. 27 to link Mindanao to the most popular travel destinations in the Philippines.

It will also start flying weekly between Davao and Tacloban on Oct. 29.