Fifteen regional airports are on track for expansion and upgrade this year, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Last week, the DOTr opened the bidding for six regional airport development projects amounting to P1.66 billion.
These airport projects involve the construction of asphalt overlay of runway for Laoag costing P577 million; improvement of airside facilities in Vigan for P48.4 million; construction of a perimeter fence and road at Bukidnon airport for P77.3 million; construction of horizontal and vertical structure at Tacloban airport for P661.1 million; construction of secant piles in Marinduque for P49.1 million and; the development of Antique airport amounting to P247.09 million.
Interested bidders may purchase the bidding documents starting on August 25 until the scheduled opening of bids on Sept. 22, 2023.
“Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in 2016 revised implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 9184,” the DOTr said, referring to the 2003 Government Procurement Reform Act.
Meanwhile, nine regional airports are set for expansion and upgrade, including a P12.75-billion unsolicited proposal for the Laguindigan airport, said Jaime Bautista, DOTr secretary.
“We plan to increase the capacity of the Laguindingan airport from 1.6 million passengers a year to almost six million annually. The unsolicited proposal for Laguindingan airport was recently approved by NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority). We should be able to implement this P12-billion project starting in 2024,” Bautista said last week.
Other projects include those in Bukidnon, Dumaguete, Kalibo, Caticlan, Siargao, Zamboanga and Masbate.
“We are now constructing the Bukidnon airport. The locally funded project is expected to be operational by 2nd quarter of 2026. The airport will cater to turboprop aircraft operations serving Bukidnon and nearby provinces, boosting the economic and trade growth of North-Central Mindanao,” Bautista added.
The Catbalogan airport development project is also ongoing which will allow turboprop operations in Eastern Visayas. This is set to be operational by 2025.
The Dumaguete airport will also be transferred to the town of Bacong which is 8.5 kilometers south of Dumaguete City.
“The new airport will be three times bigger than the existing one. We are now in the process of procuring the land. Transferring the airport will cost P17 billion,” Bautista said.
The Kalibo airport’s expansion, on the other hand, involves both the terminal and the runway, while the Caticlan airport terminal building will be expanded and airside facilities will be upgraded.
The airports in Siargao, Zamboanga and Masbate will be improved and transferred to new locations, according to Bautista.
At present, the country has a total of 90 airports, of which 45 have commercial operations, nine are international gateways and 25 are night-rated.
