The Philippine government is moving forward with plans to privatize several key airports in the country, a move confirmed by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista following the recent Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and Project Concession Agreement signing for Laguindingan International Airport.
This initiative extends beyond Laguindingan, targeting Bohol-Panglao International Airport, Davao International Airport, and Iloilo International Airport. Bautista highlighted ongoing efforts with “unsolicited proposals for Bohol-Panglao International Airport,” mentioning a Swiss challenge period set to conclude by November 11. For Iloilo International Airport, Bautista revealed that negotiations with a potential concessionaire have wrapped up and are pending final approval from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
The Davao International Airport’s PPP process is also in motion. “A few weeks ago, we signed a transaction advisory services agreement with the International Finance Corporation,” Bautista said in a GMA News report, underscoring the collaboration in drafting the terms of reference for the project.
Additional airports, including Kalibo International, are slated for privatization, as the government collaborates with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to explore options for seven to fifteen more airports nationwide.
The 30-year Laguindingan Airport project, approved by NEDA in July 2023, is expected to boost regional development and tourism in northern Mindanao through extensive infrastructure upgrades over two capacity expansion phases.
