By Gabriela Baron
At least eight airport projects are assured of funding in line with the provisions of the 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Thursday, Jan. 19.
Among the airports with budget allocations for repairs are the Laoag International Airport (P785 million), Tacloban Airport (P1.420 billion), Antique Airport (P500 million), Bukidnon Airport (P80 million), Ninoy Aquino International Airport (P43 million), New Zamboanga International Airport (P200 million), Vigan Airport (P50 million), and M’lang Airport (P15 million).
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said funding these airport improvements is in accordance with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to improve the country’s mobility and connectivity.
“This budgetary allocation seeks to support the construction, rehabilitation, and improvement of the country’s transportation infrastructure, particularly in the aviation sector,” Pangandaman said.
“This is in line with the mandate of President Bongbong Marcos to put prime importance in enhancing our country’s transportation system,” she added.
Pangandaman also assured the government’s continued thrust for infrastructure development to achieve the administration’s goal of economic transformation.
“When we say transport infrastructure development, this does not only mean building or improving railways or road transport. It also means the improvement and rehabilitation of airports,” she said.
“That is why, for 2023, we made sure that various airports in different regions across the country would be getting their needed funds, as their development will propel growth in different sectors, such as trade, employment, and tourism,” she added. -ag
