President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. urged all relevant government agencies to stay on track in completing the administration’s transportation projects.
The President made the call as he witnessed the signing of the Laguindingan International Airport Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project concession agreement on Monday.
“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,” President Marcos said.
During the signing ceremony, the President acknowledged the significant contributions of Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. and the International Financial Corporation of the World Bank Group in realizing the project.
“Witnessing the signing of this concession agreement is a reminder of what we are capable of doing so long as we remain committed to this common goal – to help improve the lives of our people,” President Marcos said in his speech.
“We welcome more players and investors who are equally dedicated to helping us deliver quality services to the Filipino people,” the President added, referring to the private sector who also made contribution to the project.
Located between the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, the Laguindingan International Airport serves as an access point to Northern Mindanao. Opened in 2013, the airport is considered as Mindanao’s second busiest airport as it currently caters 1.6 million passengers annually.
The project is expected to expand the airport’s capacity to 3.9 million per year in its first phase and 6.3 million passengers by the end of the second phase.
President Marcos said the public-private partnership provides an opportunity to expand the facilities, upgrade the terminals, increase the capacity, and deliver the services in a safer, more efficient and more convenient way.
It also shows the administration’s unwavering commitment to invest in the development of Northern Mindanao, the President said.
President Marcos expressed optimism about the future of Laguindingan International Airport, envisioning it as a reliable hub to inspire travelers to explore beyond its terminal gates.
“Let us buckle up and take off towards a brighter and more connected Bagong Pilipinas,” he added.
The Laguindingan International Airport PPP is a P12.75-billion project, co-granted by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to upgrade, expand, operate and maintain the airport over a period of 30 years.
The project includes a two-phase capacity augmentation to meet the increasing demand. | PND
