Business

Airports in President Marcos regions slated for P2 billion rehab works

Elijah Felice Rosales - The Philippine Star

September 2, 2023 | 12:00am

Airports in President Marcos regions slated for P2 billion rehab works

Passengers crowd the departure lobby while others set up camp inside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Monday midnight, Jan. 2, 2023 as the influx of passengers still builds up despite announcements made by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista that the airport is back to normal operations around 5:50 PM on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023. Numerous flights were canceled earlier due to a technical glitch and the power outage at the Air Traffic Management Center of the NAIA.

The STAR / Miguel de Guzman

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will undertake nearly P2 billion in aviation upgrades for regional airports, most of which are situated in areas considered as bailiwicks of President Marcos.

The DOTr is looking for contractors that will carry out P626.01 million in development projects for airports in the Ilocos Region, where President Marcos hails from, and P661.11 million in civil works for the airport in Tacloban, where the Romualdezes come from.

The Tacloban Airport Development Project will require its contractor to complete horizontal and vertical structures within 360 calendar days.

Likewise, the Laoag International Airport Development Project will be composed of mainly two sections: the asphalt overlay of the runway and the construction of DOTr’s Project Management Office. The project, amounting to P577.08 million, will also include the provision for a baggage claim carousel.

On the other hand, the Vigan Airport Development Project will cover the improvement of airside facilities of the gateway. This will cost P48.93 million.

Apart from this, the DOTr is searching for contractors that will deliver P373.51 million in airport upgrades in Antique, Bukidnon and Marinduque.

Broken down, the Antique Airport Development Project, totaling P247.09 million, will comprise the civil works for horizontal structures.

The Bukidnon Airport Development Project worth P77.28 million will entail the construction of perimeter fence and airport road of the gateway.

Meanwhile, the Marinduque Airport Development Project will cost P49.14 million, requiring its contractor to build secant piles. As a protocol, the DOTr mandates that bidders present proof that they have completed an aviation project before.

According to Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, the public and private sectors are expected to complete P1 trillion in airport projects within the year. Most of these undertakings are focused on regional gateways to support the recovery of travel and tourism.

Last week the DOTr also issued the invitation to bid for the contract to operate and maintain the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

The future operator of NAIA will be required to increase the passenger capacity of the airport to 62 million per year, from 32 million at present, and will be given a period of 15 years, extendable by 10 years, to complete the rehabilitation and upgrade.