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The P21.16-billion Iloilo International Airport project proposed by the Villar Group is in the process of getting approval from the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), inching closer to the awarding of the contract, according to the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center of the Philippines.

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PPP Center deputy executive director Jeffrey Manalo, in an interview last week in Quezon City, told reporters the airport proposal has successfully hurdled the negotiation phase, which was conducted to further iron out the project details.

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Manalo said the airport bid would undergo review again before securing endorsement to the Neda board for final approval.

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READ: DOTr steps up development of regional airports

The airport project in Western Visayas, proposed by Prime Asset Ventures Inc., includes the expansion of the passenger terminal building and construction of an apron where aircraft can park and refuel, among others.

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This project is one of the many infrastructure plans in the pipeline as the country ramps up its connectivity in the regions given the resurgence of travel.

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Just this year, the government awarded the Bohol-Panglao International Airport and Laguindingan International Airport to Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc.

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The Bohol airport, whose passenger capacity will grow to 3.9 million passengers per year by 2030 from the current 2 million, is expected to boost tourism in the Visayas.

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The Laguindingan project, meanwhile, seeks to improve connectivity to northern Mindanao, which includes Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon and Camiguin, among others.

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The Department of Transportation (DOTr) received a budget allocation of P12 billion for next year to develop more airports outside Metro Manila.

Bulk of the funding will go to the New Dumaguete Airport Development project (P6.1 billion), Tacloban Airport (P2.3 billion), Busuanga Airport (P1 billion), Laoag International Airport (P750 million) and Iloilo International Airport (P645 million).

The DOTr also set aside for Virac Airport (P280 million), Antique Airport (P125 million), New Bohol Airport Construction and Sustainable Environment Protection project (P90 million) and Bukidnon Airport (P50 million).

Its greenfield airport projects such as the New Zamboanga International Airport and Siquijor Airport got a budget of P200 million each.

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Other planned airport projects are Masbate, Naga, Pangasinan, Siargao, Itbayatbuddha bet, Maasin and Hilongos.

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