17 airport projects finished under Duterte's first 3 years —DOTr

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Tuesday the Duterte administration has completed 17 commercial airport projects during President Rodrigo Duterte's first three years in office.

In a statement, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade noted the importance of advancing air connectivity throughout the country and with the world, as the DOTr's Aviation and Airports Sector and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) finished 17 airport projects with 28 more ongoing, in the first half of Duterte’s term.

“Connectivity and mobility in transport are key components in socio-economic development. By building new airports and rehabilitating existing ones, the transportation sector contributes to both regional and national progress,” Tugade said.

During the first half of Duterte’s term, two new international airports have been built, namely the Lal-Lo International Airport in Cagayan, and the country’s first eco-airport, the Bohol-Panglao International Airport, according to the DOTr.

Fifteen other existing gateways have also been upgraded, two of which are international and 13 domestic.

Rehabilitated international airports include the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) — hailed as the world’s friendliest resort airport. It opened its new passenger terminal building last year, boosting the airport's annual capacity to 13.5 million passengers.

Likewise, Puerto Princesa Airport’s passenger terminal building was also expanded, with its runway extended to accommodate larger aircraft.

For domestic airport, the DOTr said Ormoc Airport on July 5 opened new facilities, including a renovated passenger terminal building and a widened runway. These were inaugurated by Duterte.

"Additionally, infrastructure developments for the domestic airports of Virac, Marinduque, Tuguegarao, San Vicente, and Busuanga in Luzon; Maasin, Tacloban, and Catarman in the Visayas; and Ipil, Camiguin, and Siargao in Mindanao, have been accomplished," the DOTr said.

The DOTr said, together with CAAP, it is accelerating the ongoing infrastructure development in 27 commercial airports and one military air base. The government is also set to build one more international airport, it added.

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) continues the rehabilitation works for its Terminal 2.

"These include the expansion of departure check-in hall and arrival baggage area; architectural improvements in passenger movement areas; upgrade of aerobridge areas and elevated roadway; new glass wall panels and partitions; upgrade of air-conditioning system, power, lightings, fire protection, and electronics and communications systems; installation of an improved flight information display system and a new public address system; and waterproofing works for building exterior, among others," the DOTr said.

As the NAIA rehabilitation continues, the government is also working to decongest the main gateway through complementary infrastructure development.

"Additional facilities at the Sangley Airport in Cavite are now under 24/7 construction to meet the November 2019 deadline of the President for the military air base to commence general aviation and turboprop operations," the DOTr said.

Construction is also ongoing for the second passenger terminal building of the Clark International Airport.

The expansion is seen to increase the CRK’s overall capacity to 12.2 million passengers annually. An additional runway is also set for construction, according to the DOTr.

To further aid in the long-term decongestion of NAIA, the DOTr said plans are underway for the proposed New Manila International Airport in Bulacan. Opening of bids is on July 31, 2019.

Meanwhile, the Bicol International Airport is now more than halfway complete. The airport is expected to accommodate two million passengers per year, and is targeted for completion in 2020, the DOTr said.

International airports in Davao, General Santos, Zamboanga, Iloilo, Kalibo, and Laoag are also undergoing improvements.

Development projects continue, as well, for domestic airports in Busuanga, Cauayan, Naga, and Tuguegarao in Luzon; Bacolod-Silay, Calbayog, Catbalogan, Dumaguete, and Tacloban in the Visayas; and Bukidnon, Ipil, Laguinduingan, Mati, M’lang, Ozamiz, Sanga-Sanga, Siargao, and Surigao in Mindanao.

Aside from developing the nation’s airports, major programs and initiatives have been launched to further uplift aviation and airports services, such as the establishment of new Communications, Navigation, Surveillance / Air Traffic Management System (CNS/ATM) that now covers 100% of Philippine airspace, and the night-rating of 15 more commercial airports to further ease decongestion in major gateways. —KBK, GMA News