DOTr gets just 9% of proposed budget of airports

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has been given just nine percent of its proposed P28-billion budget next year to complete aviation projects needed for the recovery of the travel industry.

Transportation Undersecretary Roberto Lim told The STAR the agency asked for P28.3 billion to fund at least 50 airport projects in 2023, only for the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to approve just P2.49 billion to cover five undertakings.

“Roughly P28.3 billion was proposed by DOTr [for airport developments], but approved by DBM was P2.49 billion,” Lim said.

President Marcos, in his budget message, said the allocation would be used to put up and upgrade some of the airports in the regions. Two of the airport projects are located in the President’s hometowns: Laoag International Airport in Ilocos Norte and Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban.

According to the DBM, the budget will also be used to rehabilitate the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and the Antique Airport. Some of it will also be spent for the construction of an airport in Bukidnon slated for partial operations next year.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the government wants to focus on infrastructure projects that drive economic growth and create employment opportunities in their areas.

“With the pouring of much-needed budget to improve and modernize our airports, we help fulfill the President’s directive to build better more,” Pangandaman said.

She said the government understands the importance of infrastructure development in triggering the recovery of agriculture, trade and tourism from the pandemic.

Steve Dailisan, spokesman of AirAsia Philippines, said the low-cost carrier looks forward to the delivery of the P445-million upgrade of the Laoag International Airport. The Philippine unit of the Malaysian airline plans to launch flights to the city to cater to travelers to the north.

Further, Dailisan said the P1.42-billion modernization of the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport bodes well for the domestic operations of AirAsia Philippines. At present, the airline firm flies Manila to Tacloban five times every day, making it one of its top performing routes.

“Any form of upgrade in airport infrastructure will definitely provide more opportunities for us in the airline business to increase capacity and frequency, which in turn, should create more flight options, making it more affordable and convenient for our guests to fly,” Dailisan told The STAR.

On the other hand, Cebu Pacific spokesman Carmina Romero said the budget airline would work with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) in identifying airport priorities for 2023.

“Cebu Pacific welcomes any improvements and investments and will work closely with CAAP on the priority needs,” Romero told The STAR.

Whereas five airport developments will be financed next year, at least 45 others will have to wait until 2024 to get another chance at being bankrolled. Most of them are situated in provinces that rely on travel activities to boost their economy.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said earlier not even a single centavo was allocated for the conduct of feasibility studies for proposed airports. Even the P905-million upgrade of the Iloilo International Airport, one of the busiest in Visayas, was denied by the DBM.

“In fact, we wanted the Iloilo International Airport to be improved and we requested a budget of P905 million, but unfortunately it’s not part of the budget that was approved,” Bautista said.

The DOTr also sought P680 million to start the construction of the P5.6-billion Hundred Islands International Airport in Pangasinan given that CAAP has already spent P400 million to purchase the lot for the facility.

Under the 2023 budget, the proposed budget for the DOTr more than doubled to P167.1 billion, the bulk of which at P105.2 billion will be used for railway construction.