BuCor plans airport, seaport on Iwahig Prison

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY — The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) is moving forward with plans to construct both an airport and a seaport on the expansive 28,000-hectare land of the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Puerto Princesa City.

BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. made this announcement in an interview on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Correctional Conference 2025, held at the Four Scores by Sheraton Resort Hotel in Sabang, Puerto Princesa, from 14 to 17 February.

Catapang explained that the construction of the airport and seaport is part of BuCor’s agreement with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) to transform the IPPF into an economic zone.

“There will be an airfield,” Catapang stated, noting that during his tenure with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, he played a role in the development of the military property in Taguig City into what is now Bonifacio Global City. He further explained that the new airport will serve as a major hub, with smaller planes flying to destinations such as El Nido, Coron, Busuanga and Balabac in Palawan.

He also pointed out that with Puerto Princesa’s growing population, the city’s existing airport may not suffice, even with expansion. The new airport within the IPPF reservation will span around 3,000 hectares — twice the size of Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Catapang added that the planned seaport will aim to become an international port, capable of serving the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region. It will be part of the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area, a regional cooperation initiative aimed at promoting development in remote areas of the four participating Southeast Asian countries.

In addition to the airport and seaport projects, Catapang revealed plans to purchase an airplane and a ship within two years to transport prisoners and agricultural products from BuCor facilities.