Philippines Actively Exploring Joint Venture Opportunities For Airport Development
From Kisho Kumari
MANILA, Oct 3 (Bernama) -- Philippines is actively exploring joint venture opportunities for the country’s airport development.
Its Department of Transportation Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports, Roberto Lim, said the department has been using the public-private partnership (PPP)method to mitigate the burden of operating airports and the financial resources needed. “These are the paths which we are exploring or pursuing to unburden and mitigate the inherent conflicts,” he said at the 2024 Aviation Summit Philippines today.
He also emphasised the need to have a robust and responsive regulatory framework to achieve the expansion goals. Therefore, he said the government has moved ahead with the administrative processes such as the removal of the hidden conflicts of having one entity in an airport while waiting for the legislation that seeks to make permanent the benefits of aviation goals.
“Other areas that require improvements are operational services, efficient movement of passengers, goods, airports safety and security, air navigation, human and capital development as well as decarbonisation and environmental protection,” he added, noting that there are huge opportunities in these areas.
Admittedly, he said Philippines is still lagging behind other ASEAN neighbours in airport development. “This year, no Philippine airport was included in the list of Skytrax Top 100 Airports for the Airport Service Quality Rank but we’re moving forward towards that,” he added.
He revealed that five more airports have been lined up for “bidding conclusions” in the next six months for PPP projects.
Philippines has a total of 90 airports and 50 of the airports are being developed using government funds or government funds.
Lim said the department of transportation is also looking into creating an independent agency or joint venture under a PPP scheme to privately manage and operate the country’s air traffic management system.
-- BERNAMA