LAGUINDINGAN AIRPORT CONCESSION AGREEMENT TO BOOST TOURISM, ECONOMY – MARCOS

President Marcos Jr. is confident that that the improvement of the Laguindingan International Airport will boost tourism and generate employment (Photo courtesy of Aboitiz Infracapital/Inquirer)

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. witnessed the signing of the P12.75-billion concession agreement between the government and the private sector for the turnover of the operations, maintenance, and expansion of Laguindingan International Airport in Misamis Oriental.

Laguindingan Airport opened in 2023, which is located between Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, it is currently handling 1.6 million passengers annually, making it the second-busiest airport in Mindanao. 

The signing of the Laguindingan International Airport Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and Project Concession Agreement will “provides us with the opportunity to expand the facilities, upgrade the terminals, augment capacity, and deliver our services in a safer, efficient and more convenient way,” according to Marcos.

Under the agreement, Aboitiz InfraCapital will take over the operations and maintenance of the Laguinduingan Airport over a 30-year period. The company will be in charge of expanding the airport’s facilities, as well as in upgrading its terminals, augmenting capacity, and delivering services in a safer, efficient and more convenient way.

The project seeks to expand the airport’s capacity, first, to 3.9 million per year in the first phase; and eventually to 6.3 million passengers per year by the end of the second phase. 

''For most travelers, airports provide a glimpse of what awaits them at their destination; it is an experience of its own. Air travel is already a challenge, but it is now up to us to offer seamless service so that our visitors will feel the warmth and the welcoming nature of Filipinos,'' Marcos said.

''This also shows our commitment to invest in the development of Northern Mindanao. Expectedly, the improvement of the airport will significantly boost tourism, create jobs, increase business presence, and ultimately aid in our goal – in achieving our goal of economic growth,'' he added. 

The President also called on the DOTr to stay on track in finishing the administration’s transportation projects. “To the officials and employees of the Department of Transportation, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, the Public-Private Partnership Center, and all concerned agencies, I urge you to remain on track in completing and implementing transportation projects.”

Source: Philippine News Agency

Be part of ImHenyo community!

Get featured by sharing your stories, news, and comments

Email us at [email protected]