NAGA CITY, Philippines — Senatorial candidate Camille Villar has expressed strong support for the expansion of Naga Airport, emphasizing its role in enhancing trade and tourism in the Bicol region.

During a press conference in Camarines Sur on Friday, Villar underscored the importance of infrastructure projects in driving national development, particularly improvements in the country’s airports.

“Actually, napakahalaga talaga ng infrastructure not just here in CamSur but throughout the whole country. So, napakagandang project niyan syempre sisiguraduhin natin na makasama siya doon sa P14-billion allotted for modernization of airports,” Villar said.

She also suggested leveraging Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to speed up the expansion if additional funding is required, citing successful airport projects that have benefited from private sector involvement.

“But beyond that if kailanganin pa maybe they can explore PPPs, Private-Private Partnerships which they have in other airports to accelerate the growth and to finish it faster kasi naniniwala ako na, like everyone, in this province, malaki ang magagawa ng magandang airport para sa turismo and for additional jobs here in CamSur,” she added.

With 15 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, Villar highlighted the advantages of PPPs, noting that private companies bring innovation, expertise, and efficiency to public projects, often reducing costs and accelerating completion.

The Naga Airport expansion project aims to extend the current 1.3-kilometer runway to 2 kilometers, enabling the airport to accommodate larger aircraft like the Airbus A320. This upgrade is expected to improve connectivity, attract more visitors, and create economic opportunities for the Bicol region.

Villar’s support for the project reflects her broader advocacy for infrastructure development as a catalyst for economic growth, particularly in regional areas like Camarines Sur.

With 15 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, Villar highlighted the advantages of PPPs, noting that private companies bring innovation, expertise, and efficiency to public projects, often reducing costs and accelerating completion.

The Naga Airport expansion project aims to extend the current 1.3-kilometer runway to 2 kilometers, enabling the airport to accommodate larger aircraft like the Airbus A320. This upgrade is expected to improve connectivity, attract more visitors, and create economic opportunities for the Bicol region.

Villar’s support for the project reflects her broader advocacy for infrastructure development as a catalyst for economic growth, particularly in regional areas like Camarines Sur.