P12 billion earmarked to upgrade 13 airports across the country

MANILA, Philippines — At least P12 billion has been allocated under the 2025 National Expenditure Program for the upgrading of 13 airports nationwide.

This was revealed by Makati Rep. , Jr., vice chair of the House Committee on Appropriation, after an initial scrutiny of the proposed national budget.

Next year s proposed NEP is P6.352 trillion, which is 10.1 percent higher than the 2024 national budget. The proposed 2025 NEP is also equivalent to 22 percent of the country's gross domestic product.

According to Campos, at least P12 billion has been allocated under the 2025 NEP to modernize 13 aviation hubs across the country "to enhance the air travel experience of passengers."

 Our airports are highly dynamic engines of economic growth and jobs creation, so we are all for increased government spending to further build them up,  he noted.

Most of the airports to be upgraded are located in the Visayas and Mindanao.

 This is most welcome. This gives more substance to the mandate of the Constitution for all regions of the country to be given the optimum opportunity to develop,  Campos said.

The 13 airports up for upgrades based on  2025 Aviation Infrastructure Program (AIP) of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) include the New Dumaguete Airport (P6.1 billion); Tacloban Airport (P2.3 billion); Busuanga Airport (P1 billion); Laoag International Airport (P750 million); Iloilo International Airport (P645 million); Virac Airport (P280 million); New Manila International Airport (P200 million); Siquijor Airport (P200 million); New Zamboanga International Airport (P130 million); Antique Airport (P125 million); Central Mindanao (M lang) Airport (P100 million); New Bohol Airport (P90 million); and Bukidnon Airport (P50 million).