President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is optimistic returning Filipinos will soon be welcomed by a new and upgraded Manila airport covered by the administration’s rehabilitation project worth PhP170.6 billion.
In his speech before the Filipino community in Brunei Darussalam, President Marcos said the massive airport upgrade project aims to improve passenger terminals, airside facilities, and enable intermodal transfers of the Manila airport.
He said it’s about time to start rehabilitating the Manila airport which has been neglected by previous administrations, resulting to negative international reviews.
“Pagbalik po ninyo sa Pilipinas, we hope to also welcome you to a new and upgraded Manila International Airport,” President Marcos told the Filipino community in Brunei Darussalam on the first of his two-day visit to the Sultanate.
“Mayroon tayo pong 170.6 billion pesos na dadalhin para pagandahin ang ating mga passenger terminal, ang ating mga airside facilities. At saka mas madali ang pag-lipat mula sa isang terminal hanggang sa kabilang terminal. Mula sa airport hanggang sa terminal ng bus para makauwi sa probinsya,” he added.
He said the project implementation is expected to take 15 years.
The President said initial improvements are anticipated as early as next year, adding that infrastructure projects will remain a very high priority of the administration to drive growth and employment in the Philippines.
The chief executive also committed to shifting to renewable sources of energy by increasing the use of wind, geothermal, biomass, wave power, and hydroelectric power generation to immediately restore power after calamities such as typhoons, earthquakes and floods. President Marcos is embarking on a two-day state visit to Brunei Darussalam to strengthen the diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Brunei, which span over 40 years since it was formalized on January 1, 1984.