The administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is seeking an added allocation of ₱300 million under the proposed 2027 national budget to finish the long-awaited Bukidnon Airport in the town of Don Carlos, the Office of the Executive Secretary stated on Saturday, September 5.
The announcement was made following an on-site inspection of the construction progress in Barangay Maraymaray conducted by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto on Friday.
During the visit, Recto highlighted the President’s instructions to finish the delayed development and open the facility by 2027.
“President (Ferdinand) Marcos (Jr.) 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. It will allow people, products, and opportunities to move faster,” he added.
Approval of the additional funding will increase the total capital provided to the airport project under the Marcos Jr. presidency to ₱1.66 billion, rising from the ₱1.36 billion previously designated since 2022.
To date, the total public funding poured into the infrastructure stands at ₱3.17 billion.
Under current leadership, ₱1 billion was allocated for Phase IV in 2022, followed by ₱310 million in 2024 and ₱50 million in 2025.
Recto noted that the facility’s capacity to host bigger aircraft will assist in attracting additional flights and passenger carriers, potentially driving down air travel costs.
He added that the infrastructure will strengthen Bukidnon’s standing as a prime agricultural center by speeding up the movement of key products like pineapples, bananas, corn, coffee, sugar, and livestock.
“Airports do more than connect destinations,” Recto said. “They connect businesses to customers and communities to jobs, investments, and essential services.”
Commercial Capabilities and Infrastructure Details
The newly developed airport is designed to accommodate commercial jet aircraft and provide direct flights connecting Bukidnon with key commercial and tourist hubs nationwide.
Key physical components include:
- A 2,100-meter-long and 45-meter-wide runway.
- Two stub taxiways alongside a 43,050-square-meter apron designed to hold up to six aircraft.
- A 3,600-square-meter passenger terminal building engineered to accommodate up to 425 travellers.
- A 2,500-meter runway strip, supporting navigation systems, and auxiliary facilities.
The primary landing strip is tailored to accommodate larger commercial aircraft models such as the Airbus A320, standard for domestic routes.
“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,” Recto said.
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, who formerly served as the congressional representative for Bukidnon’s 3rd District from 1998 to 2007, joined Recto throughout the site inspection.