President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday led the groundbreaking ceremony for the new passenger terminal building at Caticlan Airport, a major infrastructure initiative aimed at boosting the local economy and enhancing the travel experience for millions of tourists visiting Boracay.

The project, to be completed in 24 months by Megawide Construction Corporation, is expected to double the airport’s capacity and support the growing tourism sector in the region.

“The influx of people and travelers is going to be a big boost to the local and national economy,” President Marcos said. “Tourism right now contributes close to 8% to our GDP and that is something we want to increase, which is why these projects are also important.”

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon emphasized the role of public-private partnerships (PPP) in advancing transport infrastructure. He thanked San Miguel Corporation for committing to finish the terminal by 2027.

“Napaka-importante ng Public-Private Partnership dahil nama-maximize natin ang potential ng mga transport infrastructure na nagbibigay ginhawa sa mga kababayan natin,” Dizon said.

Caticlan Airport serves as the main gateway to Boracay and ranked as the country’s fourth busiest airport, accommodating over three million passengers in 2024. DOTr says that the upgraded terminal will expand the airport’s annual capacity to seven million passengers.

According to DOTr, the new terminal will feature modern amenities designed to ease congestion and improve overall passenger experience. These include upgraded check-in counters, more efficient security screening, improved baggage handling, and redesigned boarding gates.

“The project will help Boracay solidify its reputation as a premier global destination, while supporting the tourism economy and improving travel comfort for both local and foreign tourists,” Dizon added.