21 April 2023
Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista bared government plans to privatize operations and maintenance of 10 regional airports across the country.
Airports prepared for privatization are Bohol-Panglao, Laguindingan, Bicol, Iloilo, Puerto Princesa, Davao, Bacolod, Kalibo, Busuanga and Siargao.
Sec. Bautista also disclosed at the Management Association of the Philippines meeting Wednesday, a plan to create Philippine Airports Authority (PAA) to manage all other airports, and the National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) to investigate transport related accidents, be it in the air, land, or sea.
"we also need legislative action to separate the regulatory and operator functions of airport authorities," Bautista said.
"We also need an independent body to perform standard aviation investigations." Bautista adds.
Currently, both regulatory and airport operator functions are managed by the Civil Aviation Authority.
Bautista said the two conflicting functions should not be dispensed by the same agency and the country needs a law to delineate them.
"A new agency should regulate airport users while another operates the airport," the Secretary points out.
Revenues generated from the lease of operations and maintenance services of the airport will be use to expedite the improvement of other airports that needs major infrastructure investments.
Among the airport beneficiaries are four regional airports in Dumaguete, Siargao, Zamboanga and Masbate which will be improved and transferred to a new location.
"We are also fast-tracking the airside improvement at Bicol International Airport, the country's newest international gateway." he said.
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