Private operator to upgrade Laguindingan airport
Metro Manila, Philippines – An international gateway in northern Mindanao is poised for upgrades after the Department of Transportation signed a 30-year concession agreement with its private operator on Monday, Oct. 28.
Infrastructure development company Aboitiz InfraCapital bagged the P12.75-billion contract, aimed to modernize and rehabilitate the Laguindingan airport in Misamis Oriental.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who witnessed the ceremonial signing at Malacanang, said the project will stimulate economic growth.
“The improvement of the airport will significantly boost tourism, create jobs, (and) increase business presence,” he said.
In a press briefing, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the privatization deal will more than double the passenger capacity from 1.6 million to 6.3 million annually.
The transportation chief added that the project aims to turn Laguindingan into an international aviation hub.
“We will request Philippine carriers to fly out of Laguindingan and to other Asian countries. And we will request the airlines of other countries to fly to Laguindingan,” Bautista said.
The airport will be formally turned over to its private concessionaire in April 2025.
Bautista said terminal fee adjustments may be carried out a year after the new operator’s takeover.
More privatization projects
Meanwhile, the transport chief said the agency is eyeing to privatize more aviation hubs, including the Davao International Airport and the Kalibo International Airport in Aklan.
Laguindingan is the second gateway to undergo privatization this year, after the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. took over operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in September.
“Right now, we are working on unsolicited proposals on Bohol-Panglao international airport…We’re also looking at the privatization of the Iloilo-International airport. We’re working closely with a possible concessionaire,” Bautista said.
Bautista said the government is working with the Asian Development Bank to privatize seven to 15 more airports.
