AT LEAST 19 airports across the country will receive a combined ₱7.8 billion in capital outlays this year to upgrade their aviation facilities and improve the air travel experience for passengers, House Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan disclosed on Sunday.
Libanan said the funding will help strengthen inter-island air connectivity, boost tourism, support small businesses, and generate employment in the regions.
“We are counting on these upgrades to enhance the overall air travel experience for passengers, attract more tourists, support the growth of small and medium enterprises, and create additional jobs,” Libanan said.
He added that the disclosure of the allocations is part of the Minority’s duty to keep Filipinos informed on matters of public interest.
“We are reporting these funding allocations so communities can monitor the progress of airport upgrades in their respective areas,” Libanan said.
Libanan identified the following airports as recipients of facilities development funding under the 2026 General Appropriations Act:
- New Dumaguete Airport – ₱2.5 billion
- Tacloban Airport – ₱741.7 million
- Mati Airport – ₱700 million
- Laoag International Airport – ₱507.3 million
- New Naga Airport – ₱444.6 million
- Ormoc Airport – ₱433 million
- Busuanga Airport – ₱415 million
- Candon Airport – ₱350 million
- New Manila International Airport – ₱200 million
- Catbalogan Airport – ₱200 million
- Kalibo International Airport – ₱195.5 million
- Camiguin Airport – ₱150 million
- Bukidnon Airport – ₱150 million
- Daet Airport – ₱150 million
- Bicol International Airport – ₱150 million
- Central Mindanao (M’lang) Airport – ₱100 million
- Siargao Airport – ₱100 million
- Antique Airport – ₱99.5 million
“These allocations are fully itemized in the 2026 national budget,” said Libanan, a representative of the 4Ps party-list.
He also noted that Busuanga Airport and Siargao Airport will receive additional funding of ₱70 million and ₱23 million, respectively, for night-rating improvements.
Cauayan Airport is likewise allocated ₱160 million for its night-rating.
Night-rating an airport refers to equipping it with the necessary lighting, navigation, and safety systems to allow aircraft operations at night or under low-visibility conditions, not just during daylight hours.
The Department of Transportation said the funds will be used for the construction or improvement of runways, taxiways, ramps, control towers, and passenger terminals, as well as for the acquisition of navigation and safety equipment.
The Philippines recently liberalized the entry of tourists from China, which used to be the country’s largest source of inbound foreign visitors prior to the pandemic.
Under the new policy, Chinese nationals are now allowed visa-free entry for short stays for tourism and business purposes, subject to basic travel requirements.
The move is intended to revive tourist arrivals from China and is expected to increase passenger traffic at major gateways and regional airports across the country.
