The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Thursday said the construction of a new, modernized Dumaguete Airport has started to accommodate the increasing number of passengers and improve air connectivity in Western Visayas.
“This new and expanded airport will address the increasing number of air traffic to and from Dumaguete,” Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said.
The new Dumaguete Airport will see a brand new runway, taxiway, passenger and cargo terminal buildings, control tower and various aeronautical facilities.
Once completed, the regional airport will increase passenger capacity from 800,000 to 2 million annually.
The Department of Finance (DOF) earlier signed a P13.5 billion loan agreement with the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) to finance the new Dumaguete Airport Development Project.
Costing P17.06 billion, the project covers 197.55 hectares of land development in the Municipality of Bacong, Negros Oriental. The new airport facility complies with domestic and international standards for operational safety and efficiency.
Finance Secretary Ralph Reno said the new Dumaguete Airport will enhance regional connectivity and support air travel in Western Visayas.
“On a broader scale, this new airport will advance our capacity to welcome a surge of tourists in the post-pandemic era,” Recto said.
