Explore Bukidnon your next business destination

Time to Rise Your Business in Bukidnon
(The New Airport Is Almost Here)

Imagine skipping the long, winding drive from Cagayan de Oro’s Laguindingan Airport and touching down right in the heart of Bukidnon. Soon, that will be the new reality. The Bukidnon Airport in Barangay Maraymaray, Don Carlos is finally coming to life — test flights already happened on January 31, 2026, and commercial flights are on track to begin by December 2026.

Designed for smooth short-to-medium haul trips using planes like the ATR-72 and Q400, this airport will open Bukidnon to the rest of the country like never before.

For anyone dreaming of starting or growing a business, this is your sign. Better accessibility means more tourists, faster delivery of goods, and fresh eyes on what Bukidnon has to offer — from agriculture and food processing to eco-tourism and adventure travel. No more risky travel delays, no more napapagod just to reach your market. The terminal is rising, the runway is taking shape, and the opportunity is wide open. Plant your business here now, and you’ll be ready to take off the moment the first flights do.

Why Now Is the Best Time to Start?

First-Mover Advantage: With the infrastructure expanding, there will be fewer competitors and plenty of space for building your brand.

• Full-Scale Construction: Works on the passenger terminal building, control tower, and runway are progressing.
• Opportunity Abounds: The region is shifting from being relatively unknown to an easily accessible economic powerhouse, meaning you can plant your business now and reap the rewards as Bukidnon continues to grow.
• Increasing Population: According to the census conducted in 2024, Bukidnon’s population was 1,601,902 compared to 1,541,308 in 2020, distributed between 2 cities, 20 municipalities, and 464 barangays. (psa.gov.ph)
• Good Size of Economy: Bukidnon’s GDP grew to ₱267.77 billion in 2024, which represented a 3.8% increase compared to previous years and continued to grow into 2026. (rsso10.psa.gov.ph)
• National Agricultural Leader: Agriculture contributes 48.2% to Bukidnon’s GDP, with the region accounting for 7.3% of the country’s total production of agriculture, forestry, and fishing.
• Diverse Growth: While agriculture is driving growth, there have been excellent results in the construction, trade, and manufacturing sectors.
• Looking Ahead: The development strategy set out in 2026-2028 aims at inclusive growth and becoming the capital of Arabica coffee in the Philippines, with headline inflation stabilizing at 3.3% in February 2026.

Why Bukidnon Might Just Be the Best Place to Do Business?

Indeed, Bukidnon is positioning itself as an excellent site for investing at present since the completion of its airport would provide a massive boost. The following are reasons that justify this claim:

1. There is a large and stable market: Currently, there are about 1.6 million inhabitants in the two cities and 20 municipalities in Bukidnon Province, and the population is continually growing.
2. The game-changing airport is soon to be completed: Bukidnon’s Don Carlos Airport will open in December 2026. This implies that travelers, investors, and cargo can reach the area conveniently without traveling from the Laguindingan airport, which is about four hours away. It would offer various benefits in logistics, tourism, and trade for businesses.
3. Strengthened by a robust and expanding economy: Bukidnon’s GDP rose to ₱267.77 billion in 2024 and continues to grow. The agriculture sector provides the most significant contribution (nearly 50%, and a national leader), but construction, trade, and manufacturing are also expanding.
4. Local government commitment to development: The development strategy in Bukidnon focuses on inclusive growth and aims to position it as the Arabica coffee capital of the country. This suggests support for agri-businesses, eco-tourism, and value-added products.
5. Inflation is contained: At 3.3% as of early 2026, prices are relatively stable, which helps with planning and protecting your margins.

Frequently Asked Questions

• 1. Why would someone want to consider Bukidnon as their home rather than cities such as Manila or Cebu?

  Living in Bukidnon means escaping from the “kapoy” and “grabe ka init” of urban life. They offer you the freshness of cool mountain breeze and wide spaces, with the peaceful “hinay-hinay” rhythm of life in the area. Called the “Highland Paradise,” they provide you with fresh air and exciting natural activities such as hiking Mt. Kitanglad.

• 2. What is the targeted opening date for the new Bukidnon Airport?

  According to sources, the new airport located at Barangay Maraymaray, Don Carlos, will open its gates for commercial flights starting December 2026. Test flights have even been completed already on January 31, 2026.

• 3. Why is it the right time to launch a business in Bukidnon?

  It is the right time due to the considerable first-mover advantage. With the establishment of an airport on the horizon, Bukidnon will experience a boom in connectivity, which will give you an edge since you would have established your brand and thus will be able to take off immediately once the flights start. The GDP of the province stands at ₱267.77 billion in 2024, a population of more than 1.6 million, with an inflation rate of only 3.3%.

• 4. What are the key economic drivers in Bukidnon?

  The agriculture industry is responsible for driving the economy of the province, with agriculture contributing 48.2% to the GDP of Bukidnon and 7.3% to the national agriculture sector. It is known for having huge plantations of pineapples, bananas, and sugarcane. The construction, trading, and manufacturing industries are also flourishing.

• 5. In what way is the new airport going to directly help my business?

  With the opening of Don Carlos Airport, a lot of changes are expected in logistics, tourism, and business in general. Gone is the dangerous four-hour trip by road from Laguindingan Airport, making it easier for companies to transport goods, attract more tourists, and facilitate investments. Through better connectivity, this airport is expected to bring Bukidnon into the rest of the Philippines and generate new business opportunities for different industries.

Conclusion

Among all the complexities and fast-paced life that is experienced in today’s world, Bukidnon stands out as one of the places wherein people can experience simplicity, cool breeze from the mountains, spaciousness, and the relaxing hinay-hinay kind of lifestyle. As a result of the planned construction of an airport which is to be commercially operational by December 2026, the serene destination will not just be able to lure more tourists but will also serve as a hub of investment opportunities.

With its thriving economy worth ₱267.77 billion, population growth of over 1.6 million, and its agriculture sector which comprises about 49% of the region’s gross domestic product and supplies more than 7% of the nation’s food needs, Bukidnon has now emerged as more than just a place of respite for people looking to get away from the hectic life in other places.