The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is aiming to privatize the operations of 10 additional regional airports, including popular tourist destinations, within the next three years, announced Transportation Secretary Vivencio “Vince” Dizon on Monday.

Dizon revealed that the DOTr is targeting to place 10 more airports under public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements. These airports include Iloilo, Davao, Siargao, Laoag, Busuanga, Bicol, Tacloban, Bacolod-Silay, General Santos, and Puerto Princesa.

During the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) Infrastructure Forum in Makati City, Dizon expressed confidence in achieving this goal by 2028, emphasizing that he had assured the President of this commitment.

The Iloilo Airport is currently the most advanced project, with an unsolicited proposal from the Villar Group. The proposal is now under review by the coordinating committee of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev).

While the Iloilo Airport will be developed as a standalone project, the remaining airports are expected to be bid out as bundles, following recommendations from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Dizon highlighted the importance of ensuring that various areas have basic aviation infrastructure for logistics, emergencies, and disaster relief. He emphasized the need for viable airports to be privatized for better management.

Currently, seven airports are already under PPP agreements, including the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) managed by the New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) since September 2024.

Other airports under PPP arrangements include Bohol-Panglao and Laguindingan with the Aboitiz Group, Mactan-Cebu Airport with GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC), Clark Airport with Luzon International Premiere Airport Development (LIPAD), and Caticlan and New Manila airports with San Miguel.