Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)--the country’s main gateway--topped the list of airports that will undergo major improvements soon thanks to the enactment of the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA) or national budget. 

There's a total of 22 airports on the list, according to a statement released by Makati City 2nd district Rep. Luis Campos Jr. on Wednesday, Jan. 3. 

Specifically, some P1.64 billion will be poured to the NAIA for a new Communications, Navigation and Surveillance-Air Traffic Management (CNS-ATM) system. 

NAIA experienced a major power outage on Jan. 1, 2023 that led to the cancelation of over 400 flights. The embarrassing, headline-grabbing event was supposedly triggered by a glitch in the current CNS-ATM. 

Campos, a vice chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations, said the fresh funding was under the national government’s 2024 Aviation Transport Infrastructure Program. 

“The new funding allocations per airport are itemized in the 2024 General Appropriations Law,” he said. 

“All told, Congress has earmarked P7.5 billion this year for the construction, rehabilitation and improvement of various airports and navigational facilities, including the procurement of equipment,” he noted. 

Campos explained that the spending was meant to sustain the modernization and expansion of the country’s aviation hubs in time for the projected full recovery of global air traffic by 2025. 

“Of course, we are also counting on the spending to enhance the overall travel experience of passengers,” he said. 

Scheduled for upgrading aside from NAIA are Pag-Asa Island Airport, with a budget of P1.5 billion; Kalibo International Airport, P581 million; Laoag International Airport, P500 million; Bukidnon Airport, P320 million; Puerto Princesa Airport, P300 million; New Zamboanga International Airport, P300 million; Central Mindanao (M’lang) Airport, P300 million; Catbalogan Airport, P250 million; Daet Airport, P225 milllion; New Manila International Airport, P200 million; Candon Airport, P200 million; and Borongan Airport, P200 million. 

Also to undergo improvements are the Iloilo International Airport, P190 million; Tuguegarao Airport, P150 million Bacon Airport, P100 million; Maasin Airport, P100 million; Tandag Airport, P100 million; Jolo Airport, P100 million; Mati Airport, P100 million; Surigao Airport, P80 million; and Vigan Airport, P70 million.