The Department of Transportation broke ground for the expansion of the Laguindingan Airport Passenger Terminal Building (PTB), highlighting the benefits of a better terminal for Northern Mindanao.
Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista highlighted the expansion’s strategic importance in elevating travel experiences and fostering sustainable aviation operations across Misamis Oriental and neighboring provinces.
“The upcoming expansion project will not only provide better passenger experience but will also push further our goals towards sustainability,” he said.
The Laguindingan Airport is already the second busiest in Mindanao and the sixth busiest in the nation. The expansion, when completed, promises to significantly enhance the pre-departure terminal capacity, accommodating 860 passengers daily—nearly doubling its current capacity of 500 passengers.
A key highlight of the expansion lies in the adoption of an innovative modular construction system, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap).
Caap said this approach not only ensures cost-effectiveness but also reflects a commitment to sustainability, offering a blend of flexible design, swift construction, cost efficiency, and environmentally conscious choices.
Bautista noted that the expansion was driven largely by the “clamor” from “several national and local officials…for the opening of international flights in Laguindingan Airport.”
Laguindingan Airport caters to the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and Marawi, as well as the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, and Bukidnon.