Laguindingan Airport development to boost tourism, generate jobs — Marcos

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Monday expressed confidence that the improvement of the Laguindingan International Airport would boost tourism and generate employment in the Mindanao region.

Marcos witnessed the signing of the Laguindingan International Airport Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and Project Concession Agreement at the President’s Hall in Malacañang Palace.

''With the influx of travelers in the Mindanao Region, the signing of this Concession Agreement for the Laguindingan International Airport – Public-Private Partnership Project provides us with the opportunity to expand the facilities, upgrade the terminals, augment capacity, and deliver our services in a safer, efficient and more convenient way,'' Marcos said in his speech.

''This also shows our commitment to invest in the development of Northern Mindanao. Expectedly, the improvement of the airport will significantly boost tourism, create jobs, increase business presence, and ultimately aid in our goal – in achieving our goal of economic growth,'' he added.

The said project seeks to expand the airport’s capacity, first, to 3.9 million per year in the first phase; and eventually to 6.3 million passengers per year by the end of the second phase, according to Marcos.

''For most travelers, airports provide a glimpse of what awaits them at their destination; it is an experience of its own. Air travel is already a challenge, but it is now up to us to offer seamless service so that our visitors will feel the warmth and the welcoming nature of Filipinos,'' he said.

To recall, the PPP project for the upgrade, expansion, operations, and maintenance of Laguindingan Airport was approved by the NEDA Board in July 2023. It aims to improve the airport over a period of 30 years and undertake two phases of capacity augmentation to meet the increasing demand.

The said project aims to support the government's effort to enhance regional development and promote tourism in northern Mindanao and its neighboring regions.

It also seeks to integrate concepts of green and connected airports into its design and operation as well as digital technologies to improve the passengers’ experience.

The Laguindingan International Airport was completed in 2013 as a replacement for the Lumbia Airport in Cagayan De Oro. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News