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A number of regional airports are currently in various stages of upgrade, with some expected to be ready for use next year
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Undertaken by the Department of Transportation and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, these projects include the airports of Busuanga, Laoag, New Manila (Bulacan), Naga, Antique, Catbalogan, Dumaguete, Kalibo, Tacloban, Bukidnon, M’lang, and Zamboanga
A number of regional airports are currently in various stages of development, with some expected to be ready for use by next year, said Transport undersecretary for aviation and airports Jim Sydiongco.
Undertaken by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, these airports are in Busuanga, Laoag, New Manila (Bulacan), Naga, Antique, Catbalogan, Dumaguete, Kalibo, Tacloban, Bukidnon, M’lang, and Zamboanga, according to Sydiongco’s presentation during the recent 2025 Philippine Aviation Summit hosted by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines.
Sydiongco said these projects are in compliance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to enhance connectivity throughout the country by improving and modernizing the country’s aviation infrastructure.
A P15.152-billion budget has been set aside for the Busuanga Airport, which is being prepared for jet operations by December 2028. The project includes new facilities, a 2,400-meter concrete runway, and landside development. Operation of the new runway is targeted for December 2026.
The Laoag International Airport Development Project involves rehabilitation of the existing passenger terminal building, increasing the area from 4,000 sqm to 7,000 sqm. The project aims to develop the airport to conform to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and allow it to handle wide-body aircraft.
READ: DOTr to bid out Busuanga, Laoag airports projects
Land development for the passenger terminal building of the New Manila International Airport (NMIA) is being fast-tracked by concessionaire San Miguel Aerocity Inc. to pave the way for construction by January 2026, Sydiongco said.
The airport in Bulakan, Bulacan, when completed, is expected to accommodate up to 100 million passengers annually, positioning it as one of Southeast Asia’s largest airport hubs.
The New Naga Airport Development Project aims to upgrade and expand the existing airport to accommodate larger aircraft and increase passenger capacity for the Bicol Region. The project includes the reorientation and extension of the runway from 1.3 kilometers to 2 km, along with the development of key airside and landside facilities, such as terminal building, control tower, and fire station. Target start of construction is December 2025 and completion eyed for June 2029.
DOTr is preparing the Antique Airport for future jet operations through the construction of a new apron capable of accommodating jet aircraft. The project includes a new passenger terminal building that can accommodate 500 passengers. Sydiongco said the apron and taxiways were completed in July 2025 and DOTr is looking to inaugurate the project within this month.
Ongoing works for the P5.4-billion Catbalogan Airport, meanwhile, are focused on runway extension. The removal of hill obstruction, construction of control tower, and installation of air navigation facilities are ongoing. The target is to start general aviation operations by 2026 and for turboprop commercial flights by the fourth quarter of 2027.
The New Dumaguete Airport is a foreign-assisted project in partnership with the Export-Import Bank of Korea that involves construction of a new airport that will have an annual passenger capacity of 2.45 million. The P17.05-billion project includes procurement of consulting services for the design, assistance to tendering and construction supervisions. December 2026 is the target start of design and build and December 2031, the start of operations.
Plans for the P8.10-billion Kalibo International Airport development project are underway, involving the upgrade of the airport to full ICAO standards for international operations, as well as the runway extension from 2,600 meters in the medium term to up to 3,000 meters in the long term.
The P11.62-billion development of the passenger terminal building of Tacloban Airport is also underway, which will expand capacity to 1,600 passengers, along with site development for the planned runway extension to handle larger aircraft, Sydiongo said.
The new terminal is expected to be operational by September 2026 while the runway extension and reclamation works are scheduled for completion by the second quarter of 2028. Sydiongco noted that there are plans to partially operate the domestic part of the terminal as soon as possible.
Construction of the new Bukidnon Airport terminal is ongoing. The P4.02-billion project features a runway upgrade, construction of a new terminal, cargo building, control tower, and other support facilities. The airport is targeted for general aviation operations by December of 2025, completion of facilities for turboprop operations by December 2026, and jet operations by December 2027.
Works for the P2.604-billion M’lang Airport development are ongoing, including runway asphalt overlay, rehabilitation of the terminal building, construction of the administration building, fire station, and control tower. The target is for general aviation to commence operations by December 2026.
The P13.9-billion New Zamboanga International Airport will replace the existing facility to accommodate safe and efficient jet craft operations that will strengthen the connectivity and boost tourism and trade in Zamboanga City and Zamboanga Peninsula, Sydiongco said. Site acquisition and implementation of consultancy services for the conduct of detailed engineering design are ongoing. The target start of commercial operations is in December 2033.
READ: DOTr seeks consultants for Zamboanga, Surigao and Camiguin airports
Aside from these government-funded projects, Sydiongco said DOTr is also making progress on the development of solicited airport public-private partnership projects, with the help of its transaction advisors, World Bank-International Finance Corp. and Asian Development Bank.
The IFC team is working on project preparation for the bundled Davao, Dumaguete, and Siargao airports while ADB is handling the Laoag, Bicol, Busuanga, Bacolod, Tacloban, and General Santos PPP bundle.
READ: DOTr gets P16B bundled proposal for modernization of 3 airports
The unsolicited PPP proposals on the Iloilo, Puerto Princesa, Kalibo, and Davao airports are in various stages of evaluation and negotiation. – Roumina Pablo
