MANILA, Philippines -- Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said on Saturday that the government would pursue more public-private partnerships (PPPs) for airports nationwide, citing improvements in security, passenger comfort and queue management at facilities already turned over to private operators.
Dizon said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to pursue PPP arrangements for as many airports as possible, with announcements on additional projects expected in the coming days.
“Clearly, we can see the difference in security, comfort and shorter queues,” Dizon said, comparing airports operated under PPP arrangements with those still managed by the government.
He cited the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Clark International Airport and Mactan-Cebu International Airport as examples of airports under private-sector participation.
“There's a huge difference when we compare these airports with those that have not yet been placed under PPP arrangements,” according to the DOTr chief.
Acknowledging that improvements at the country's airports remained a work in progress, Dizon stressed that the private-sector participation would help accelerate upgrades and improve passenger services.
“We still have a lot to improve, but things have gotten much better and travel has become more convenient. We can make these improvements faster and more efficiently through public-private partnerships because the government alone cannot do it,” he said.
Dizon’s remarks came as the government prepared for the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit, which will bring regional leaders and delegates to the Philippines.
The DOTr was still coordinating with the Asean Organizing Committee to determine the summit's impact on flight schedules, including possible cancellations and adjustments to the arrivals and departures of heads of state and other delegates, the top transportation agency official said.
