Speech by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the Signing of the Laguindingan International Airport Public Private-Partnership Project (PPP) Concession Agreement

Speeches 28 October 2024

Thank you to our Executive Secretary, Secretary Luc Bersamin. [Please take your seats.]

Her Excellency, the Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland to the Philippines, Her Excellency Emma Hickey; Transportation Secretary Jimmy Bautista and other members of the Cabinet who are here today; Senator Grace Poe who has joined us this morning; the honorable members of the House of Representatives who have been actually lobbying very hard for many years – tumatakbo pa lang akong senador, nila-lobby mo na ito eh. [laughter] Oo, but we finally got it done. [applause] Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Capt. Manuel Tamayo; Laguindingan Municipal Mayor – ah, he’s here – Diosdado Obsioma; our partners, of course, from the Aboitiz Group led by their President and CEO, Mr. Sabin Aboitiz; our partners from the A6C Corporation led by their President, Ms. Cosette Canilao, she is very well known to us because she has been working on many other projects together with the government especially on the PPP side; my fellow workers in government; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen, good morning.

Today, we embark upon another journey towards fulfilling our mission to improve our country’s airport facilities and services.

In the past, airports were considered just transit points. Now, with the way that travel has evolved, we see them as gateways that embody the unique character, culture, and people of the places that they serve.

Situated between the bustling cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, the Laguindingan International Airport serves as an access to Northern Mindanao.

It opened in 2013 to cater to 1.6 million passengers per year and is considered Mindanao’s second busiest airport.

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.

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.

This project aims 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.

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.

This vision can only be realized through our united efforts and steadfast commitment to work together to work hand in hand. With that, this Administration extends our gratitude to the supportive and visionary partners in the private sector, particularly, Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc.

We are likewise grateful for the International Financial Corporation of the World Bank Group for its instrumental role in providing transaction advisory services to the Department of Transportation for this Project.

We welcome more players and investors who are equally dedicated to helping us deliver quality services to the Filipino people.

To the officials and employees of the Department of Transportation, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, the Public-Private Partnership Center, and all concerned agencies, I urge you to remain on track in completing and implementing transportation projects.

Perhaps some of you may have noticed that when the documents were signed, Sabin and I looked at each other and let out a “haaa” sigh of relief. [laughter] And the reason that is is that this was – this agreement, this PPP arrangement actually redefined how we do PPPs in the Philippines.

And perhaps that’s why we had that breathe of relief because finally it was done. But it wasn’t easy-going. We had to change so many things. We had to change procedures. We had to streamline many of the things, even the definitions of what solicited and unsolicited offer was and how we handle it. And… But we now have a template. And so, next perhaps Bohol will not take so much time or be so difficult. [applause]

Witnessing the signing of this concession agreement is a reminder of what we are capable of doing so long as we remain committed to this common goal – to help improve the lives of our people.

Once again, thank you and congratulations to all of you who have been involved in this Project, both in the public sector and the private sector.

We look forward to witnessing a revitalized Laguindingan International Airport—a reliable hub that will inspire everyone to explore what lies beyond its terminal gates.

Let us buckle up and take off towards a brighter and more connected Bagong Pilipinas.

Maraming salamat po. Magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat.

Mabuhay ang Mindanao!

Mabuhay ang Bagong Pilipinas! [applause]

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