P14B improvement budget to benefit airports nationwide

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) in 2024 is embarking on massive improvement for projects in the aviation sector that are seen to benefit airports nationwide.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista on Monday said the transport agency will allocate P14-billion to develop and modernize regional airports throughout the country.

“A P14-billion airport improvement budget for 2024 will benefit airports nationwide,” Secretary Bautista said during the DOTr Aviation and Airports Town Hall Meeting in General Santos City, as part of the DOTr’s 125th Founding Anniversary.

The transport chief said the allocation is for the improvement projects for Catbalogan, Tacloban, Laoag, Puerto Princesa, Kalibo, lloilo, and 16 other airports nationwide.

Many airports are being developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme with financial support from the Asian Develoment Bank (ADB) and the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank, Secretary Bautista explained

Sec. Bautista said airports in Bohol, Siargao, Bacolod-Silay, Kalibo, Puerto Princesa, Davao, and Iloilo will be developed under the PPP arrangement.

Meanwhile, the DOTr partnered with the De La Salle University and Lasallian Institute for the Environment (LIFE) on Nature-based Carbon Sequestration Project Development, a vital eco project for the aviation industry.

“I am eager to discover the outcome of this project and how it can translate for the benefit of aviation stakeholders,” Sec. Bautista said.

According to DOTr Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Roberto Lim, the agency is committed to achieving the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

The government is supporting mitigation measures such as carbon reduction, green design in airport construction, encouragement of renewable energy sources, and clear plan towards Sustainable Aviation Fuel, he said.