Surigao to Manila flights to resume by year's end - DOTr

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Friday announced that direct flights from Surigao to Manila would resume by year-end when runway repairs and improvements were completed.

A magnitude 6.7 earthquake that struck Surigao province in February 2017 slightly damaged the runway and temporarily limited its operations. 

DOTr Assistant Secretary Giovanni Lopez explained that construction work had not only restored the runway, but also added 340 meters to its length and making it 1,400 meters long.

Furthermore, once the airport was back at full operational capacity, the runway would be extended further to 1,800 meters by the first quarter of 2020. 

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, meanwhile, was satisfied with the work done at the airport, which was completed ahead of schedule.

"The people of Surigao deserve this development, most especially after a calamity. Let us always remember that air connectivity is closely tied to regional growth," Tugade said.

The airport was inspected by Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Jim Syndiongco and Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar last August. — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News