ILOILO City – Calls to accelerate the proposed expansion and upgrading of the Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo are intensifying. Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry Treñas and Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. are at the forefront, emphasizing its urgency. They are backed by various business groups in Iloilo.
“I’ve grown concerned as it’s been a lengthy wait; it truly is time. Our airport is becoming congested. We are seeing a rising number of passengers traveling to and from Iloilo,” Treñas remarked.
Beyond addressing airport congestion and the connectivity needs of travelers, Treñas highlighted the airport’s pivotal role in spurring economic growth and promoting tourism for the city, the province, and the entirety of Western Visayas.
The city mayor, chairing the Infrastructure Development Committee (IDC) of the Regional Development Council (RDC), renewed his plea to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to expedite the airport’s proposed expansion.
Treñas pointed out that the IDC has passed resolutions and consistently followed up on the airport expansion’s inclusion in the DOTr budget. However, the department hasn’t provided a detailed response.
Treñas intends to meet with DOTr executives to stress the urgency personally. He will also seek support from the Local Development Council, Iloilo City Council, and RDC to frame resolutions.
“We aim to forward all resolutions to the DOTr by November end,” he added.
The Provincial Development Council of Iloilo recently echoed these sentiments in a resolution.
“Our current terminal is overcrowded. An expansion is desperately needed,” said Governor Defensor.
PASSENGER TRAFFIC
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) – Iloilo Airport terminal supervisor, Art Parreño, the airport serves a growing number of passengers daily.
For example, in September, the airport recorded 2,550 passenger arrivals, including infants, while departures peaked at 2,876 adults and infants in one day. These figures closely match those recorded in August and pre-pandemic levels.
Regarding aircraft traffic, Parreño mentioned that approximately 25 aircraft arrivals and 25 departures were noted daily in August, excluding the everyday aviation flights (private planes) arriving at Iloilo Airport.
The main terminal, however, is designed to accommodate only 400 to 450 passengers daily. While built to international standards, the airport is not equipped to handle international flights since it’s a domestic airport.
BUSINESS GROUPS JOIN THE CALL
The Iloilo Economic Development Foundation, Inc. (ILED) supports a public-private partnership (PPP) to enhance the Iloilo Airport. ILED, chaired by Terence Uygongco, is urging CAAP to address the airport’s deteriorating condition promptly.
They believe the airport’s outdated infrastructure impedes economic growth and tourism potential in the Western Visayas. ILED stressed the urgent need for a PPP initiative to hasten essential upgrades and ensure top-tier, sustainable airport services.
“Collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors are paramount. Through PPP, we can leverage expertise and resources, ensuring efficient upgrades and long-term maintenance, benefiting both residents and visitors alike. ILED calls upon the CAAP and private entities to join hands in this transformative endeavor, propelling Iloilo towards a vibrant, economically thriving future,” said Uygongco.
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce Inc. (PCCI)-Iloilo also pressed relevant authorities to hasten not only the airport’s expansion but also that of the Iloilo International Seaport.
The group emphasized the pressing need to develop the main international and domestic gateways to boost tourism and business in the city and province of Iloilo.
“These may be done through additional government fund allocations and/or Public-Private Partnership Agreements. The urgent attention to this appeal will surely catalyze increased investments, business growth, employment and tourism for Iloilo and our neighboring provinces,” Woo stressed.
The Iloilo Business Club (IBC) echoed these sentiments.
“IBC supports any improvement, expansion (of the airport) because Iloilo has been named the best hub for retirement. We are also promoting investment and tourism so the improvement must not be delayed,” remarked IBC vice president Marisa Segovia.
FUNDING AND PROPOSALS
It’s worth noting that the IDC, in a letter dated Aug. 3, 2023, to DOTr secretary Jaime J. Bautista, sought swift action regarding the funding for the airport’s proposed expansion.
“We have received information that the upgrading of the Iloilo Airport has been left out of the 2024 budget for infrastructure development of the Department of Transportation (DOTr). This is a setback for the region, given the importance of the Iloilo Airport in sustaining our growth momentum,” Treñas informed Bautista.
The IDC advocated for a swift review and approval of the Unsolicited Proposal (USP) and the project’s realization through PPP, as it wasn’t included in the approved National Expenditure Program.
Following this, the IDC passed a resolution on Sept. 15, 2023, pressing the DOTr and CAAP to fast-track the USP review for the airport’s expansion and upgrade.
According to the PPP Center, two potential investors have presented USPs to the DOTr for the airport’s expansion.
Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. (AIC) proposed a P9.95 billion offer for the airport’s upgrade, expansion, operation, and maintenance. In contrast, Prime Asset Venture, Inc.’s bid stands at P6.89 billion.
The proposed expansion encompasses upgrades to the Passenger Terminal Building (PTB), constructing an apron adjacent to the PTB, installing necessary equipment for passenger services, and modernizing related facilities./PN