President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered government agencies to accelerate the development of Sangley Point International Airport in Cavite, seeking to clear regulatory and administrative bottlenecks that have delayed the long-planned alternative gateway to Metro Manila.
Under Administrative Order No. 44 issued Aug. 13, Marcos directed national government agencies, the provincial government of Cavite, and private-sector partners to strengthen coordination and streamline processes needed to move the project forward.
The order reflects the government’s renewed push to develop Sangley as an alternative to Ninoy Aquino International Airport, which continues to handle much of the country’s international air traffic.
“The need to enhance coordination of various government agencies, local government units in the province of Cavite, and private sector partners, and streamline regulatory and administrative processes” is necessary to ensure the timely completion of SPIA, the order said.
Marcos created a Joint Technical Working Group, co-chaired by the Department of Transportation and the Philippine Reclamation Authority, to oversee implementation and address issues that could slow the project.
The group includes the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of National Defense, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Justice, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and the provincial government of Cavite.
The JTWG will identify and resolve bottlenecks, ensure compliance with environmental and technical requirements, and submit quarterly progress reports to the President.
The DOTr will provide policy direction and oversee the airport’s integration into the Greater Capital Region Airport System and the national air transport network. CAAP will handle technical and regulatory oversight, while PRA will supervise reclamation activities.
Marcos also directed agencies to ensure the availability of land needed for the project and comply strictly with environmental laws. DENR and PRA will monitor potential effects on marine and coastal ecosystems.
Sangley has gone through several development efforts over the years. In August 2025, Marcos directed agencies to ensure the “unimpeded” development of the airport, with GMR Group identified as a strategic partner for the Sangley Aerocity Project.
The project received another boost in May when the U.S. Trade and Development Agency announced funding for a feasibility study to assess the proposed airport and the Philippines’ projected aviation needs.
The latest order puts greater emphasis on execution. After years of plans, studies, and development proposals, the government is now setting up a formal mechanism to push Sangley through the regulatory and infrastructure hurdles that have kept the project from taking off.
