The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Tuesday it is set to embark on an ambitious P14-billion improvement plan for the aviation sector in 2024 to enhance airports nationwide.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the allotted funds would be directed towards improvement projects for key airports, including Catbalogan, Tacloban, Laoag, Puerto Princesa, Kalibo, Iloilo, and 16 others.
“A P14-billion airport improvement budget for 2024 will benefit airports nationwide,” he said, emphasizing the commitment of the transport agency to develop and modernize regional airports across the country.
Notably, several of these projects will be executed under the public-private partnership (PPP) scheme, with financial backing from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the International Finance Corp. of the World Bank.
Bautista outlined that airports in Bohol, Siargao, Bacolod-Silay, Kalibo, Puerto Princesa, Davao, and Iloilo are among those slated for development under the PPP arrangement.
Aside from this, Bautista also announced the agency’s partnership with the De La Salle University and the Lasallian Institute for Environment (LIFE) on the Nature-based Carbon Sequestration Project Development.
DOTr Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Roberto Lim noted the agency’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Mitigation measures include carbon reduction, incorporating green design in airport construction, promoting the use of renewable energy sources, and establishing a clear plan for Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
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