DOTr partners with ADB, IFC to privatize 9 regional airports

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is partnering with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the International Finance Corp. (IFC) of the World Bank Group to privatize regional airports through bundled contracts.

This initiative aims to package multiple regional airports into single contracts for private sector management and development.

The DOTr tapped the IFC to firm up a public-private partnership (PPP) framework for the Davao, Dumaguete, and Siargao airports.

Additionally, the DOTr hired the ADB to work on a similar PPP project for the Laoag, Bicol, Busuanga, Bacolod, Tacloban, and General Santos airports.

Both IFC and ADB are signed as transaction advisers by the DOTr for the bundling of airport PPPs.

Once the projects are approved, they will be offered to the private sector via solicited bidding.

The department previously announced plans to privatize the operations of at least 10 more regional airports, and the new plan includes nine airports in two separate packages.

As part of its reforms, the DOTr is also considering separating the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines' (CAAP) dual roles as both a regulator and an operator of airports.