ILOILO – Department of Transportation (DOTr) secretary Jaime Bautista stressed the need for the expansion of the Iloilo Airport after a recent visit to the airport in the municipality of Cabatuan.
Bautista was in Iloilo City on Dec. 11 to attend the Philippine Economic Briefing with other Cabinet secretaries.
He said the proposed privatization of the airport began during the Duterte administration, and DOTr is currently collaborating with a proponent to submit new documents to comply with the public-private partnership (PPP) guidelines.
“We noticed a real need to improve the Iloilo Airport. There were complaints about congestion, and we believe that expanding it to handle up to 10 million passengers a year will significantly boost the local economy and tourism,” said Bautista.
Though Bautista did not specify which companies are involved, the PPP Center has revealed that Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. (AIC) and Prime Asset Venture, Inc. have submitted Unsolicited Proposals (USPs) for the airport’s expansion.
AIC’s offer stands at P9.95 billion, while Prime Asset Venture has bid P6.89 billion.
The expansion plan includes upgrading the Passenger Terminal Building (PTB), constructing an apron next to the PTB, installing passenger service equipment, and modernizing related facilities.
Bautista explained that the proponent must submit additional documents for assessment.
Once these documents are submitted, they will be forwarded to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) for approval.
Following NEDA’s approval, negotiations will commence for final terms and conditions.
Bautista also mentioned the Swiss challenge process involved in this procurement, stating, “It’s a bit complicated, but worth working on. We aim to make significant progress by the middle of next year.”
According to Art Parreño, terminal supervisor at the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) – Iloilo Airport, the airport is experiencing growing passenger numbers.
In September, the airport recorded passenger arrivals of 2,550 and departures of 2,876 in a single day, matching pre-pandemic levels.
Daily, the airport handles about 25 aircraft arrivals and departures, excluding private planes.
However, the main terminal is currently only designed to accommodate 400 to 450 passengers per day.
The airport serves routes including Metro Manila, Cebu, Palawan, Clark (Pampanga), and Davao.
In addition to Iloilo Airport, the DOTr also plans to privatize the Bacolod-Silay International Airport and is considering constructing a passenger terminal and taxiway at the Kalibo International Airport./PN
