BCDA to launch new terminal construction at San Fernando Airport

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is set to begin construction of a new passenger terminal at the San Fernando Airport in La Union as part of efforts to restore commercial operations and strengthen Northern Luzon’s tourism network.

BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Joshua Bingcang said the agency has allocated P250 million for a 10,000-square-meter terminal that will replace the existing facility, which has seen little development in recent decades. Project specifications and a bidding process for the design-and-build contract are currently being finalized.

The airport, operated by BCDA subsidiary Poro Point Management Corp. (PPMC), has so far been limited to chartered flights and flying schools. The provincial government of La Union has been lobbying for the resumption of regular commercial flights, citing potential benefits for local tourism, particularly in San Juan, a popular surfing destination.

Bingcang noted that San Fernando Airport could serve as a viable alternative to Baguio’s Loakan Airport, which has limited capacity for upgrades due to its mountainous terrain. “Upgrading San Fernando Airport would be the most ideal gateway for the government to boost tourism in Northern Luzon,” he said.

The airport development is part of BCDA’s wider plan to modernize the Poro Point Freeport Zone, which also includes the San Fernando Seaport. The agency has tapped the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center to lead a feasibility study on long-term plans for the seaport, including an 80-hectare expansion to transform it into a logistics hub.

The study, set for completion in 2027, will assess whether the seaport should prioritize industrial, agricultural, or tourism-related activities. “That’s where we can align the way we entertain proposals from the private sector,” Bingcang said.

BCDA expects revenues from the San Fernando Seaport to reach P80 million, a significant increase from the P5 million share earned under its previous private operator. Officials said the combined airport and seaport projects are intended to anchor regional growth and expand Northern Luzon’s connectivity.