MANILA, Philippines- Malaki ang maitutulong ng pag-upgrade at modernisasyon ng mga paliparan sa Laguindingan, Panglao, Caticlan, Bukidnon at Tacloban upang maging ‘global tourism at investment hub’ ang Pilipinas.
Nakahanay ito sa estratehiya ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“This is how we build an inclusive and prosperous Bagong Pilipinas. We improve tourist experience in expanding and enhancing the airports that connect Visayas and Mindanao to the world. Our airports open doors to new opportunities for tourism and economic growth,” ang sinabi ni Pangulong Marcos.
Sinasabing mapatataas ng paliparan ang bilang ng turismo sa pamamagitan ng gawing mahusay at maayos ang accessibility, pasiglahin ang economic activity, at hubugin ang traveler experiences.
“On instruction of the President, our goal is to elevate the country’s transport sector to global standards. Our transport initiatives are catalysts for tourism and economic transformation,” ang sinabi naman ni Department of Transportation (DoTr) Sec. Jaime J. Bautista.
“The latest numbers confirm this. Despite global challenges, tourists spend approximately P712 billion in 2024, a 119% recovery from P600.01 billion in pre-pandemic 2019. Tourists are also staying longer, with average stays increasing from nine to 11 nights. The Philippines has the highest tourism per capita spend in ASEAN at over USD2,000, and over 70% of visitors keep coming back,” ayon sa DoTr.
Kaya nga, maliban sa pag-iiba-iba ng mga handog at alok, tinitiyak naman ng administrasyong Marcos na ang mga turista ay makararanas ng “beaches, food adventures, wellness tours via world-class airports.”
“Home to the breathtaking Maria Cristina Falls and verdant nature parks, Northern Mindanao has long captivated tourists,” ayon pa rin sa DoTr.
At upang masiguro na mas marami ang makararanas ng Maria Cristina Falls, matatandaang October 2024, kapwa tinintahan ng DoTr at Aboitiz InfraCapital ang isang kasunduan na magpapalawig at magde-develop sa Laguindingan Airport sa Misamis Oriental. Ang paliparan ay mas higit pa sa doble ng taunang passenger capacity mula 1.6 milyon hanggang 3.9 milyon sa 2026 at pagkatapos ay 6.3 milyong pasahero taon-taon sa oras na makompleto na ang proyekto.
“Signing of the concession agreement follows the Notice of Award granted on September 30, 2024, that upgrades the airport under a P12.75 billion Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. The 30-year concession period starts in April 2025, allowing Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC) to manage the airport’s operations and maintenance,” ayon sa ulat
Ang ‘upgraded’ na Laguindingan Airport ang maglagay sa rehiyon bilang ‘key gateway’ para sa local at international travelers. Simula nang buksan noong 2013, Ang Laguindingan Airport ay naging mahalagang transportation hub para sa Northern Mindanao, nagsilbi sa Lungsod ng Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, at Marawi, at maging sa mga lalawigan ng Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, at Bukidnon. Ito ngayon ang itinuturing na ‘second busiest airport’ sa Mindanao, matapos ang Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City.
Sa mainit na pagtanggap ng Northern Mindanao sa 2.6 milyong domestic travelers at 39,000 foreign tourists noong 2023, ang modernisasyon ng paliparan ang magpapalakas sa ‘appeal’ ng rehiyon bilang ‘premier destination.’
Inaprubahan ng National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) noong July 2023, binigyang-diin ng PPP initiative ang pataasin ang karanasan habang pinalalakas ang kapasidad at gamit ng paliparan.
Ang isa pang gateway na isasailalim sa transformative leap “is the ninth-busiest airport sa bansa, ito ay ang Bohol-Panglao International Airport.
“Aboitiz InfraCapital takes the reign of the airport with a groundbreaking PHP4.53 billion unsolicited bid, seeking to increase by 25% the airport’s capacity, accommodating 2 million passengers a year to 2.5 million within the next two years. By 2030, further expansions will raise capacity to 3.9 million passengers annually,” ayon sa ulat.
“With the Notice of Award issued on November 18, 2024, and the 30-year concession period commencing 2025, the project involves expansion of the passenger terminal building, installation of state-of-the-art equipment, and modernization of both airside and landside facilities,” anito pa.
Ang pag-upgrade ay idinisenyo upang matugunan ang lumalagong demand ng mga biyahero na naghahangad makita ang Bohol’s renowned natural wonders gaya ng “Chocolate Hills, serene beaches, unique tarsiers, as well as its rich and vibrant culture.”
Iniulat naman ng Bohol Provincial Tourism Office na mainit nilang tinanggap ang mahigit sa isang milyong turista noong 2023. Sa nasabing bilang, 67% ay domestic travelers, habang 33% ay international visitors, ang South Koreans ang itinuturing na ‘largest group’ na may 41.8%. Nakaakit din ang Bohol ng mga byahero mula sa Tsina, Taiwan, Estados Unidos , Germany at France. Ang itinuturong dahilan ng provincial government sa pagdagsa ng mga bisita ay dahil sa pagbubukas ng ‘direct flights’ papunta at paalis ng Bohol.
“Boracay, the other jewel in the Visayas, will get a more improved Caticlan airport. Welcoming over 1.7 million tourists from January to October in 2024, the world-famous destination will get a new terminal building and its runway extended to accommodate larger jet aircraft,” ayon sa ulat.
Nasungkit naman ng Megawide Construction Corp., nagtayo ng world-class passenger terminal at iba pang pasilidad sa Mactan-Cebu International Airport at sa Clark International Airport, ang kontrata para magdisenyo at magtayo ng bagong terminal building sa Caticlan airport.
Ang Caticlan Airport, opisyal na kilala bilang Godofredo P. Ramos International Airport, nagsilbi rin bilang primary gateway para sa mga bisita na papuntang white sand beaches ng Boracay. Pinangangasiwaan ito ng Trans Aire Development Holdings Corp., isang subsidiary ng San Miguel Corporation Infrastructure.
Sa kabilang dako, dalawang paliparan ang nakatakda namang palakihin ang air connectivity sa Pilipinas. Ang pagiging maayos ng mga paliparan sa Bukidnon ay dapat na matapos sa 2025 habang sa taong 2026 naman sa Tacloban.
“Bukidnon Airport in Maraymaray, Don Carlos town, is progressing steadily, with Phases 1 and 2, including the runway, embankment and apron areas, already completed. Phase 3 focuses on aerodrome development while the passenger terminal building will be completed this January 2025,” ayon sa ulat.
“Initially accommodating small turboprop aircraft in this year, the airport will eventually be able to handle A320 jets by late 2026, serving 1.5 million residents in Bukidnon and nearby provinces and boosting regional tourism and economic growth,” ayon pa rin sa ulat. Kris Jose
