The Department of Transportation is pushing for the development of new airports to operate alongside Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Clark International.
According to a statement on the DOTr's Facebook page yesterday (Friday, August 24) at least two airport projects are nowbeing prioritised – building a new one in Bulacan and developing the Sangley airport in Cavite.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said: "The idea of having multiple airports is something that the world's biggest economies do. Ideally, there should be a train service linking these airports, which is also being pursued by the government.
The new Bulacan airport, an unsolicited proposal from the San Miguel Holdings Corp, was approved by the National Economic Development Authority Board in April, subject to resolution of pending issues, including a submission of "Joint and Several Liability" agreement by the corporation and its parent company.
The proposal includes the building of four parallel runways and a passenger terminal with a capacity for 100 million passengers per year.
Meanwhile, the DOTr has also welcomed the proposal of the Provincial Government of Cavite to develop Sangley Airport.
While these projects are being developed, the Manila International Airport Authority Board has already approved the grant of original proponent status to the NAIA Consortium for the airport's rehabilitation project. The concession period will run for 15 years.
Secretary Tugade added that apart from these airports in Luzon, several other airports were undergoing various stages of implementation. Among them is the new Bohol airport, which will be opened within a year.
The Bicol International Airport in Albay is now also being constructed after 11 years of delay. Siargao and Bukidnon airport are also in the works.
"Apart from these new gateways, we are improving our existing provincial airports. We are extending and expanding runways, building new passenger terminal buildings, and generally improving the facilities," he added.
As we reported last month, there are also plans afoot to reopen Subic Airport to commercial passengers.