The country’s aviation industry is catching up on “significant underinvestment in airport development over the years,” Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said Tuesday.
Mr. Bautista said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) projects will secure a sustainable future and position the Philippines as the leading regional player in the aviation sector by 2028.
“The Philippine aviation industry is on the cusp of a major transformation,” he said.
The recent developments in the aviation sector will bring economic growth to the nation, he added.
“The expansion and modernization of airports depends primarily on a sustained increase in passenger traffic and on passenger traffic showing growth potential as measured by increased tourism and economic activities.”
The rehabilitation efforts at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) will be followed by the modernization of Tuguegarao, Bacon, Loakan, Daet, Cauayan, Vigan and Candon airports, according to DOTr.
Catbalogan, Dumaguete, Kabankalan, Calbayog, Zamboanga, Mati, M’lang, Jolo, Siargao and Tandag airports in Visayas and Mindanao will also see improvements.
“The rehabilitation and modernization of airports will lead to an increase in passenger capacity while generating employment and tourist numbers,” the department said.
Mr. Bautista cited the “critical initiatives” of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to improve the country’s air navigation management.
With the help of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), improvements to the communications, navigation, surveillance/air traffic management (CNS ATM) systems will begin next month. – Almira Louise S. Martinez