LOOK: Proposals to modernize Siargao, Davao, and Bicol airports submitted to DOTr
A better travel experience is on the horizon for travelers, as the Department of Transportation receives its first bundled unsolicited proposals to modernize major regional airports.
Artist-rendered images of new airports in Davao, Siargao, and Bicol were shared on DOTr's Facebook page on Monday, Aug. 4. According to DOTr, the proposals were from the group led by the Gokongwei group, JG Summit, and the Filinvest Group.
“Our airports are a priority ang sabi ni Presidente. Meron na kaming natanggap na proposal from the group led by the Gokongwei group, JG Summit, and the Filinvest Group. This is the first bundled airport unsolicited proposal that we have received since we took over the DOTr earlier this year,” Transport Secretary Vince Dizon said.
He said that this much-needed facelift is "expected to boost tourism and increase business presence in these areas once the airports are modernized."
Dizon added that the proposals will undergo thorough assessments, review, and negotiation under the Republic Act No. 11966 or Public-Private Partnership Code.
“Ang mensahe ng Pangulo natin, hindi lang tayo naka-focus sa Metro Manila at binibigyan pansin ng gobyerno ang pangangailangan ng ibang probinsya sa ating bansa,” he said.
During the groundbreaking ceremony for the new passenger terminal building of the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport in Caticlan, Aklan last month, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stressed the goal for these efforts is to "bring the Philippines once again to the forefront of the rest of the world.”
“To bring the Philippines once again to the top of mind of the rest of the world that this is the place where people can invest, people come to have a vacation, a businessman can come and do business to the benefit of their own interest and of course, of the country,” Marcos said.
Similar projects are also set to begin in several regional airports, including Iloilo, Bohol, and Siargao, with others to be added in the future.
“The idea is to open up the Philippines not necessarily only through Manila but on international flights coming from Europe, coming from Southeast Asia, coming directly to the tourist destinations,” said Marcos.