The Aboitiz Group remains optimistic about Mindanao’s economy, with its infrastructure arm, Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. (AIC), investing significantly in connectivity and utilities while exploring opportunities across key infrastructure segments to enhance the region’s competitiveness. AIC, through Aboitiz InfraCapital Laguindingan Airport Corporation, operates the Laguindingan International Airport (LIA) in Misamis Oriental, which is set for modernization starting April 2025 following a 30-year concession agreement awarded in October 2024. The upgrades include terminal expansion to accommodate growing passenger traffic and additional international connections. During the Davao Investment Conference (Davao ICON) 2025, Christine Villanueva, AIC Airports’ head of strategy and communications, emphasized the role of airports as economic engines, stating that connectivity drives regional and national growth. She highlighted AIC’s vision to transform LIA into a regional gateway like the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), boosting commerce, tourism, and innovation in Mindanao. LIA, the country’s sixth-busiest airport, currently serves 337 weekly flights to major destinations. At the same event, Ronnie Lim, general manager of AIC’s water subsidiary Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc., discussed the impact of the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP), which provides 300 million liters of water daily to over one million residents, supporting livelihoods and economic growth. The Aboitiz Group’s Davao Light and Power Company, Inc. further strengthens its presence in the region. Frocks Roque, AIC First Vice President for Investments, underscored the importance of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in sustainable infrastructure development, advocating for shared goals between public and private sectors to drive economic progress. The Aboitiz Group, a Visayas-based conglomerate, invests in power, banking, food, infrastructure, and data science, contributing to Mindanao’s growth.
