ABOITIZ INFRACAPITAL, Inc. said it’ll upgrade Laguindingan International Airport to extend passenger capability after officially taking on the airport on April 26.
“We’re embarking on a two-phase expansion; we are going to introduce progressive enhancements in infrastructure and passenger services in the approaching months,” Aboitiz InfraCapital President and Chief Executive Officer Cosette V. Canilao said during a briefing on Monday.
For the primary phase of the airport’s capability expansion, the corporate is working to extend its current capability of 1.6 million passengers per yr to three.9 million every year and further scale up its capability to six.3 million within the second phase.
The corporate has partnered with Ireland-based daa International for the upgrade and operation of Laguindingan International Airport.
Aboitiz InfraCapital, a subsidiary of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV), will even assume the operations and maintenance of the Recent Bohol-Panglao International Airport by June.
AEV is a diversified holding company that manages a broad range of investments in various sectors, including infrastructure, power, banking, food, and land.
For this yr, AEV is setting aside P105 billion for its capital expenditure (capex) budget, said Jose Emmanuel U. Hilado, AEV senior vice-president and chief financial officer.
Nearly all of AEV’s capex budget for this yr might be allocated for the expansion of Aboitiz Power Corp.’s renewable energy projects, followed by Aboitiz InfraCapital, Mr. Hilado said.
“The subsequent biggest chunk is allocated for Aboitiz InfraCapital to fund their expansion in economic estates and tower acquisitions,” Mr. Hilado said.
Aboitiz InfraCapital will proceed to expand its Lima and Tari estates to satisfy the rising demand from each local and foreign locators, Ms. Canilao said, adding that the corporate is investing heavily in infrastructure upgrades while also integrating smart technologies across the corporate’s estate business.
Further, the corporate can also be exploring desalination and bulk water supply projects in Visayas and Mindanao, Ms. Canilao said.
Aboitiz InfraCapital’s water units are Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. and Lima Water Corp. It also has a minority stake in Balibago Waterworks System, Inc., a provincial water utility system.
“Through the expansion of Lima Water, Aboitiz InfraCapital is boosting water sustainability and resiliency across its industrial estates,” she said.
ABOITIZPOWER PROJECTS
Meanwhile, Aboitiz Power Corp. (AboitizPower) is advancing toward its goal of expanding its total capability to 9 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 because it begins the rollout of its seven power projects, its president said.
“Thus far, AboitizPower has also begun the development of an extra unit of coal, two solar energy plants, three battery energy storage projects, and our first wind project, which we goal to finish within the fourth quarter of 2026,” AboitizPower President and Chief Executive Officer Danel Aboitiz said in the course of the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting on Monday.
Amongst the corporate’s pipeline are solar projects, including the 212-megawatt-peak (MWp) Olongapo Solar energy project in Zambales and the 89-MWp San Manuel Solar in Pangasinan.
The corporate can also be gearing up for the development of its 58.5 MW wind farm in Camarines Sur.
AboitizPower’s lineup of projects also includes battery energy storage systems (BESS), reminiscent of the 20 MW Bay BESS in Laguna, 20 MW Binga BESS in Benguet, and the 8-MW Magat BESS.
Thus far, the corporate has a 5-GW power generation portfolio, of which 1.8 GW are renewable energy projects.
Meanwhile, the corporate is moving forward with the upcoming auction for the privatization of the Caliraya-Botocan-Kaliraya (CBK) hydroelectric power plant complex (HEPP) in Laguna.
“We imagine that we are able to enhance its operation and maximize its potential as a merchant asset, given our experience in hydro technology and our diverse portfolio,” he said.
AboitizPower, through its unit Aboitiz Renewables, Inc., previously joined the pre-proposal conference held by the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. last month through Thunder Consortium.
The 796.64-MW HEPP is currently under a 25-year build-rehabilitate-operate-transfer agreement between independent power producer CBK Power Co. Ltd. and National Power Corp., which is able to expire in 2026.
For 2025, AboitizPower has allocated an initial capital expenditure budget of P73 billion, mainly earmarked for its renewable energy pipeline.
“The rest will fund the upkeep of our baseload plants and further investments in land, recent substations, and metering for our distribution business,” said Mr. Aboitiz.
The corporate reported an attributable net income of P33.9 billion for 2024, a 2.4% increase from the previous yr’s P33.1 billion.
Gross revenues declined by 4.6% to P197.49 billion from P207.1 billion a yr ago.
“AboitizPower’s strong financial performance underpins our role in nation-building. Our successful yr allows us to take a position in additional energy solutions, expand our reach, and contribute to the country’s growth,” said Mr. Aboitiz.
“By delivering reliable, inexpensive, and sustainable power, we’re achieving our business goals and strengthening the muse for a prosperous Philippines,” he added. — Ashley Erika O. Jose and Sheldeen Joy Talavera
