BOHOL, PHILIPPINES — Every improvement at an airport—whether a smoother check-in, clearer wayfinding, or more reliable operations—reflects investments that often go unseen by the traveling public. These ongoing enhancements were highlighted during a recent management briefing and site visit by officials from the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), where Aboitiz InfraCapital Bohol Airport Corporation (ABAC) presented the progress made since assuming the operations and maintenance of Bohol-Panglao International Airport (BPIA) under its public-private partnership.
The visit provided DEPDev officials with an overview of the airport’s operational improvements, passenger experience initiatives, and long-term development plans that continue to strengthen BPIA’s role as Bohol’s primary gateway and support the province’s growing tourism and economy.
During the management briefing, Aldwin Uy, General Manager of Bohol-Panglao International Airport, shared the airport’s progress under Aboitiz InfraCapital’s 30-year concession, which includes a planned capital investment of ₱4.53 billion for the airport’s modernization and development. While the investment will be implemented over the course of the concession, ongoing improvements are already focused on strengthening critical systems, enhancing passenger services, and preparing BPIA to meet Bohol’s future connectivity and tourism needs.
These investments have focused on restoring critical airport systems, strengthening operational reliability, and improving the overall passenger experience. Completed works include the restoration of elevators, repairs to baggage carousel systems, preventive maintenance of passenger boarding bridges, assessments of uninterruptible power supply systems, and maintenance of passenger weighing scales to support more efficient day-to-day operations.
The airport has also strengthened safety and operational readiness through inspections of critical facilities, fire protection system assessments, runway rubber removal, and friction testing, ensuring continued compliance with aviation safety standards.
Passenger-focused improvements have likewise been introduced, including customer service training for frontline personnel, expanded stakeholder engagement, a dedicated feedback management system, additional terminal seating, improved wayfinding signages, and initiatives supporting terminal fee integration.
Operational enhancements have further strengthened BPIA’s capability to accommodate larger aircraft, making the airport Airbus A330-ready and supporting future route development and increased connectivity for Bohol.
In May 2026, BPIA successfully conducted BEACON 2026 (Bohol Emergency Airport Coordination Operations Network), a full-scale emergency simulation exercise that brought together airport personnel, airline partners, local government units, medical institutions, and emergency responders. The exercise tested the airport’s ability to respond to a major incident, helping ensure that emergency procedures, coordination, and recovery systems are ready when needed and that passengers can continue to travel safely even during unexpected disruptions.
These continued improvements have supported BPIA’s growing role as Bohol’s primary gateway. Since the transition of airport operations, BPIA has served more than 2.16 million passengers. Alongside infrastructure and operational improvements, ABAC has also been working with local tourism and business stakeholders to promote Bohol as a destination and support efforts to develop new flight connections. Together, these efforts help strengthen demand, expand access to the province, and create the conditions needed for the long-term success of the PPP—ensuring that improvements at the airport translate into greater opportunities for travelers, local businesses, and communities.
For GM Aldwin Uy, the visit highlighted how sustained collaboration between government and the private sector enables airports to continuously evolve in ways that directly benefit the traveling public.
“Public-private partnership allows us to combine long-term planning with responsive day-to-day operations. Beyond fulfilling our commitments under the concession, we continue to invest in improvements that strengthen safety, enhance the passenger experience, and prepare Bohol-Panglao International Airport to support the province’s continued growth. Every enhancement we make is ultimately about creating greater value for the traveling public and for Bohol.”
DEPDev Undersecretary Joseph J. Capuno underscored the role of infrastructure partnerships in advancing the country’s long-term development objectives.
“Well-planned infrastructure creates opportunities that extend far beyond the facility itself. The continued improvements at Bohol-Panglao International Airport show how public-private partnerships can strengthen connectivity, support tourism, and improve the overall travel experience while contributing to the long-term development goals of both the province and the country.”
The visit reinforced how public-private partnerships can maximize the long-term value of public infrastructure by combining government oversight with private sector expertise, investment, and operational excellence. As travel demand continues to grow, Bohol-Panglao International Airport demonstrates how sustained collaboration can improve airport services, strengthen regional connectivity, and support economic development while delivering better experiences for the traveling public.
Through continued collaboration with government and industry partners, Aboitiz InfraCapital Bohol Airport Corporation remains committed to building on this progress—ensuring that Bohol-Panglao International Airport continues to serve as a safe, reliable, and welcoming gateway to one of the Philippines’ premier destinations.
