As the country’s “Surfing Capital” starts to welcome back more tourists and passenger arrivals, the Department of Transportation, together with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) are working together to further improve and expand Siargao Airport with the groundbreaking of the gateway’s development projects yesterday, 15 June 2022.
The development projects will include the improvement of the Passenger Terminal Building, Powerhouse, Perimeter Fence, Vehicular Parking Area, Administration Building, 2 Bay Fire Station Building and Expansion of Apron.
Meanwhile, coinciding with the groundbreaking of the development projects was the blessing of the rehabilitated projects of the Siargao Airport after suffering damages from super typhoon ‘Odette’ in December 2021.
The development project covers the rehabilitation of the Passenger Terminal Building (PTB), rehabilitation and improvement of the departure area, check-in and arrival area, Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) building, and arrival area facade.
“Noong December, giba-giba ito at sabi n’yo, ‘Mr. Secretary, paano na ito?’ Sabi ko, bigyan n’yo ako ng kaunting oras paplanuhin natin ‘yung pagsasaayos at pipilitin ko tapusin in 4 to 5 months,” Secretary Art Tugade recalled.
“Ngayon ‘ho in just 4 months tapos ‘ho, pagkat ‘yun ang binitawang salita ng Kagawaran ng Transportasyon. Tapos ‘ho pagkat itong administrasyong Duterte ay gustong ipakita sa lugar na kagaya ng Siargao na kayo ay mahal na mahal ng Administrasyong Duterte,” Secretary Tugade added.
Siargao Provincial Governor Francisco ‘Lalo’ Tinio Matugas meanwhile shared that with the rehabilitated PTB and the soon to rise expanded airport facilities, more tourists and visitors will surely come to Siargao.
“Our visitors, guests started coming here in Siargao and I hope with this new passenger terminal building, we will be able to accommodate more flights in the future. So, this is what we need this time of our recovery program. We are very proud of our airport here in the island!”
“Last year, when super typhoon Odette visited our beautiful island, it left a tremendous remembrance but our airport can still accommodate incoming aircraft, after the devastation of the said typhoon, nothing major happened in the runway,” Del Carmen Mayor Proserfina Coro said.
“Under the help of the responsive team from CAAP and the crew behind the Siargao Airport, the runway became operational within 48 hours after the landfall. That’s why we were able to receive help immediately. Further, we were able to provide chartered humanitarian flights. Without a doubt, our airport has weathered many crises and demonstrated long term resilience, becoming an indispensable means of transport especially in dire need,” Mayor Coro added.
With the completion of these development projects, it can now accommodate more passengers, provide wider connectivity and mobility, and propel progress in the economy, tourism and commerce for opportunities and employment benefits for the people of Surigao del Norte.
The DOTr and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) will continue to move forward and remain relentless in fulfilling our mandate to give a more comfortable life to every Filipino.
Source: Department of Transportation – Philippines
