MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday welcomed the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Project Concession Agreement of the Laguindingan International Airport, which he said will pave the way for the modernization and rehabilitation of Mindanao’s second busiest airport.
Marcos Jr. witnessed the signing of the contract among the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and private concessionaire Aboitiz InfraCapital in a ceremony in Malacanang.
Under the agreement, Aboitiz InfraCapital will take over the operations and maintenance of the Laguinduingan Airport over a 30-year period.
The firm will be in charge of expanding the airport’s facilities, as well as in upgrading its terminals, augmenting capacity, and delivering services in a safer, efficient and more convenient way.
The project is expected to expand the airport’s capacity from the current 1.6 million annually to 3.9 million per year in its first phase and 6.3 million passengers by the end of the second phase, according to the DOTR.
“Expectedly, the improvement of the airport will significantly boost tourism, create jobs, increase business presence, and ultimately aid in our goal — in achieving our goal of economic growth,” President Marcos Jr. said in his speech.
“We look forward to witnessing a revitalized Laguindingan International Airport—a reliable hub that will inspire everyone to explore what lies beyond its terminal gates.”
Privatization, through concession agreements and public-private partnerships, is touted as a way for government to upgrade and improve public infrastructure and services.
It also comes with concerns over higher terminal fees and similar charges to maximize profit for firms participating in the projects.
“REMAIN ON TRACK”
Marcos Jr. also directed government agencies to stay on track in completing the administration’s transportation projects.
“To the officials and employees of the Department of Transportation, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, the Public-Private Partnership Center, and all concerned agencies, I urge you to remain on track in completing and implementing transportation projects,” he said.
In a Palace briefing, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said that the Laguindingan airport concession agreement “highlights the potential in driving innovation and infrastructure development.”
“Like other airport development projects, Laguindingan’s transformation should promote regional growth generate jobs and livelihood and create investment opportunities,” Bautista said.
The signing of the concession agreement comes shortly after the turnover of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to the NAIA Infra Corp, the private proponent consortium led by San Miguel Corp. last September.
Bautista said the transportation department is also working on the unsolicited proposals for the PPP agreement of the Bohol-Panglao International Airport, the privatization of the Iloilo Airport, the Davao International Airport, and the Kalibo International Airport.
“We’re also working with [Asian Development Bank] for the privatization for 7 to 15 more airports in the country,” he said.
By Pia Gutierrez
October 28, 2024 12:05 pm
