2025 Aviation Infrastructure Program Revised At Bicam

Pag-Asa Airport in Palawan topped 2024 PH airport expenditures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8 January 2025

Congress has revised the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP) on Aviation Infrastructure Program prior to enactment of 2025 General Appropriations Act in December 2024 to reflect a reduction of budget from 12 billion pesos to around ₱7.7 billion to upgrade 15 airports across the country, a lawmaker said on Wednesday.

In a press statement, Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr., vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee, said the ₱7.7-billion funding for the Aviation Infrastructure Program will be used to construct, rehabilitate, and improve runways, taxiways, ramps, control towers, passenger terminals, and to acquire navigational equipment.

Under the 2025 General Appropriations Law, funding for New Dumaguete Airport was reduced, but Tacloban Airport project will still receive the largest share of ₱2.3 billion, followed by ₱1.65 billion for Pag-asa Island Airport, and ₱1 billion for Busuanga Airport.

"We are counting on these upgrades to enhance the overall air travel experience for passengers, attract more tourists, support the growth of small businesses, and create new jobs," Campos said.

Other allocations include ₱750 million for Laoag International Airport, ₱360 million for Bacon Airport in Sorsogon City, ₱280 million for Virac Airport, and ₱250 million for construction of Candon City Airport in Ilocos Sur.

The New Dumaguete Airport, New Manila International Airport, and Camotes Airport in Camotes island will each receive ₱200 million, while Camiguin Airport is allocated ₱180 million. Dumaguete, Camotes and Camiguin are foreign tourists destinations.

The New Zamboanga International Airport, Central Mindanao (M’lang) Airport, Panglao Airport, and Bukidnon Airport will get ₱130 million, ₱100 million, ₱52.1 million, and ₱50 million, respectively.

“These allocations are fully itemized in the 2025 budget,” Campos said.

 

The airport appropriations reflect the political affiliations of elected leaders in the Marcos government, with the President hailing from Ilocos, Senate President from Sorsogon, and Speaker of the House from Tacloban.  

Budgets for new airports are Bukidnon, Bacon, Candon, and Camotes, while the big new ones are Manila, Zamboang, Dumaguete, and Camiguin.

Only the airports of Laoag, Tacloban, Panglao, Busuanga, and Virac are served with regular passenger traffic by airlines.