Senator Grace Poe says public-private partnership (PPP) remains a viable option for developing Philippine airports and make them attractive to tourists.

"Ang aviation sector natin ay parang isang eroplanong hindi maka-take off dahil sa delays, cancellations, at kung ano-ano pang aberya," the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services said in a hearing on the state of the country's airports.

(Our aviation sector is lIke an airplane that can't take off dup to delays, cancellations, and other various hitches.)

Poe said PPPs can support the upgrading projects of airports, which can be present and future drivers of economic growth.

Some private groups have expressed interest in rehabilitating Philippine airports. However, Poe said "regulatory and procedural delays threaten our opportunity to have airports at world-class standards".

"Year on year, we are presented with never-ending catch-up plans to improve the operations and maintenance of existing airports, or build new ones to address accessibility and demand," she said.

For 2024 alone, Poe said the government allocated P7.5 billion for the construction, upgrade, expansion, or rehabilitation of 22 airports across the country.

On top of this, she said the government has also granted budgetary support to government corporations in the aviation sector. This includes P1.03 billion to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and P121 million to the Davao International Airport Authority to increase its capacity and accommodate more international flights.

"Sa kabila ng regular na paglalaan ng pondo, hindi pa rin ramdam ng mga pasahero ang improvements sa ating mga paliparan. Bagkus, patong-patong na problema sa operasyon at maintenance ng mga airports ang kinakaharap ng mga mananakay," she said.

(Despite the perennial alocation of funds, our passengers still can't feel the improvements at our airports. Instead, they are inconvenienced by various problems on operation and maintenance. )

"As frustrating and disappointing as it is, I think this comes as no surprise to us," she added.

Poe continued, "Ang tanong ng nakararami – paano at saan ginastos ang budget na nakalaan sa pagsasaayos at pagpapagawa ng mga airports? We have fought hard for the budget and we want to make sure its benefits trickle down to the people."

(The question of many is, where was the money meant for fixing up the airports spent?)

Poe also sought an update on the rehabilitation of the Iloilo airport, which received P190 million in funding from the 2024 national budget.

She asked the CAAP to submit a timeline in writing for the completion of the airport upgrade.

"I would like to have a copy so I can report to our constituents in Iloilo," Poe said.