The PhP2.16 billion budget for air transport infrastructure for 2019 is seen to boost the country’s bid to be a major global aviation market player by 2022.

Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno revealed that the government will invest heavily in its Aviation Infrastructure Program now that emerging economies like the Philippines are expected to surpass advanced economies in terms of passenger traffic by 2022.

According to the Airports Council International, in its World Traffic Report 2017-2040, passenger traffic in emerging economies like the Philippines is estimated to increase from 3.5 billion in 2016, or 45.3 percent of the total passenger traffic, to 5.4 billion, or 50.1 percent in 2022. By 2040, this is anticipated to reach 13.5 billion, or 61.6 percent of the total global passenger traffic.

“Our various air transport projects under the Build, Build, Build Program came at no better time as the Philippines alone is seen as the 10th fastest growing country for passengers for the period 2016-2040,” the budget chief said.

According to Secretary Diokno, some of these key projects include, among others, the New Bohol (Panglao) International Airport Development Project, PhP754 million, which is targeted to be completed by October 2018; construction of the nautical highway leading to the Sayak (Siargao) Airport terminal in Surigao del Norte, PhP500 million; extension of the runway of the Catbalogan Airport in Samar, PhP450 million; and Davao International Airport, PhP315 million.

Secretary Diokno also noted that seven of the 35 projects approved by the National Economic and Development Authority under the 75 infrastructure flagship projects of the Duterte Administration are strategic airport projects aimed at spurring airport traffic growth in the countryside such as the Clark International Airport Expansion Project in Central Luzon—which will be completed by 1st Quarter of 2020, Bacolod-Silay International Airport Project in Western Visayas, and Laguindingan International Airport Project in Northern Mindanao.

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