ILOILO – What’s the status of the planned Iloilo Airport redevelopment in Cabatuan town?
The provincial government is seeking updates.
The redevelopment or rehabilitation aims to increase the airport’s passenger and flight capacity.
The last public update in January 2024 was about the P190-million funding for it under the national government’s 2024 Aviation Transport Infrastructure Program.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. is considering reaching out to Department of Transportation (DOTr) secretary Jaime Bautista regarding a private company’s proposal for the airport’s upgrade or expansion.
He was referring to the unsolicited proposal (USP) submitted by Prime Asset Ventures, Inc. (PAVI) still under evaluation by the DOTr and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
This proposal included upgrading the passenger terminal building, constructing an apron adjacent to it, installing required passenger service equipment, and modernizing related facilities under a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement.
The Regional Development Council (RDC) endorsed the expansion through Resolutions Nos. 39 and 40 on September 26, 2014.
PAVI was instructed to submit necessary documents according to the revised build-operate-and-transfer (BOT) Law, its implementing rules and regulations, and new Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) Guidelines and Checklists.
Secretary Bautista indicated that the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board’s approval is expected in the first quarter of 2024.
Defensor supports the airport’s privatization, citing an “overdue practical need” for expansion due to overcrowding at the passenger terminal and departure area, which will worsen as flight operations return to pre-pandemic levels.
In December 2023, Secretary Bautista emphasized the need for expansion after observing the airport’s congestion firsthand.
Though Bautista did not specify, two potential investors have presented USPs to the DOTr for the airport’s expansion: Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc.’s P9.95 billion offer and Prime Asset Ventures, Inc.’s P6.89 billion bid.
Art Parreño, CAAP-Iloilo Airport terminal supervisor, reported that the airport accommodates a growing number of passengers, with figures in September 2023 matching those of August and pre-pandemic levels.
Daily, the airport sees about 25 aircraft arrivals and departures, excluding private planes.
However, the main terminal can only handle 400 to 450 passengers daily, underscoring the need for the proposed expansion./PN
