CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan (PIA) – The anticipated partial operation of the New Manila International Airport (NMIA) in Bulakan, Bulacan by 2028 is expected to significantly accelerate development of the Bulacan Special Economic Zone and Freeport.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region III Regional Director Edna Dizon said the upcoming construction of NMIA’s terminal building, scheduled to begin in January 2026, will usher in a new era of trade, investment, and employment not only in Bulacan but also in the entire region of Central Luzon.
Dizon cited that the strategic location of the NMIA and the Bulacan Special Economic Zone and Freeport to each other will provide fast and seamless connectivity of logistics, trade, investments, and even tourism.
The Bulacan Special Economic Zone and Freeport spans various parts of the province, including the site of the NMIA and the surrounding areas Malolos City, Meycauayan City, and the municipalities of Bulakan, Paombong, Guiguinto, Balagtas, Bocaue, Marilao, Obando, and Santa Maria.
Data obtained from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) shows that construction of the 240-gate terminal building of the NMIA is now confirmed, with San Miguel Corporation (SMC) Aerocity Inc., the project concessionaire, nearing completion of land development activities.
These works are funded through a P120 billion loan, forming part of a total P740 billion airport project.
Three international firms were commissioned to design and build the NMIA, including the Groupe ADP Ingénierie, formerly the Aeroports de Paris of France; Meinhardt Group of Australia; and Jacobs Engineering Group of the United States. Dutch dredging firm Boskalis Westminster is overseeing the land development.
The NMIA is being constructed on a 2,500-hectare coastal area in Bulakan town, and is envisioned to become a world-class aerotropolis, capable of handling up to 100 million passengers annually once fully operational.
The project is being implemented through a Built-Operate-Transfer (BOT) scheme, a mechanism under the public-private partnership (PPP), in accordance with Republic Act 11506, which granted SMC a 50-year franchise to develop and operate the airport. (SFV-PIA/BULACAN)
