Executive Secretary Ralph Recto inspected the ongoing construction of the Bukidnon Airport in Don Carlos town as the Marcos administration prepares to infuse an additional P300 million under the proposed 2027 national budget to complete the project next year.
The new airport, under construction in Barangay Maraymaray, is designed to accommodate jet aircraft and give Bukidnon a direct connection to major economic and tourism centers across the country.
“President Marcos wants the Bukidnon Airport completed by 2027 so it can begin creating jobs, attracting investments and bringing more tourists to the province,” Recto said.
“This airport will bring not only Bukidnon, but the whole Mindanao, closer to the rest of the Philippines and the rest of the country closer to the heart of Mindanao.”
“This airport will bring not only Bukidnon, but the whole Mindanao, closer to the rest of the Philippines and the rest of the country closer to the heart of Mindanao,” he emphasized. “It will allow people, products and opportunities to move faster.”
The airport has received a total of P3.17 billion in government funding. Of this amount, P1.360 billion has been allocated under the Marcos administration.
The administration provided P1 billion for Phase IV of the airport’s development in 2022, followed by P310 million in 2024 and P50 million in 2025.
With the proposed additional P300-million allocation, the Marcos administration’s total funding for the airport will reach P1.660 billion, according to Recto.
“Hindi natin hahayaang maging isa na namang proyektong matagal nang hinihintay ngunit hindi matapos-tapos,” Recto said. “Ang atas ng Pangulong Marcos ay tapusin ang paliparan at buksan ito sa lalong madaling panahon.”
The project includes a runway measuring 2,100 meters long and 45 meters wide, two stub taxiways and a 43,050-square-meter apron capable of accommodating six aircraft.
It also covers a 3,600-square-meter passenger terminal building designed to accommodate as many as 425 passengers.
A 2,500-meter runway strip, airport ancillary structures and air navigation facilities will also be constructed to support safe and efficient jet aircraft operations.
The runway is being built long enough to accommodate larger commercial aircraft such as the Airbus A320, one of the aircraft commonly used for domestic routes in the country.
“If we can accommodate bigger aircraft and attract more flights and airlines, that can help bring fares down and make air travel more affordable for ordinary Filipinos
“Ang gusto natin, hindi lang may eroplano na makakarating sa Bukidnon. Gusto natin maraming pasahero ang kayang makasakay,” Recto said. “If we can accommodate bigger aircraft and attract more flights and airlines, that can help bring fares down and make air travel more affordable for ordinary Filipinos.”
“Airports do more than connect destinations,” he said. “They connect businesses to customers and communities to jobs, investments and essential services.”
The airport is expected to support Bukidnon’s position as a major agricultural producer by making it easier and faster to transport the province’s products, including pineapples, bananas, corn, coffee, sugar and livestock, to larger markets.
“Kapag mas madaling makarating dito, mas maraming negosyo ang lalago, mas maraming trabaho ang malilikha at mas maraming komunidad ang makikinabang,” Recto concluded.
Senator Migz Zubiri joined Recto during the inspection.
