Siargao airport to resume commercial flights on Dec. 28 —DOTr

The Siargao Airport will reopen for commercial flights on Tuesday, December 28 after sustaining critical damage caused Typhoon Odette, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said Monday.

"By tomorrow, maski na ho critically-damaged ang paliparan na ito, Siargao, will be commercially operable," Tugade reported to President Rodrigo Duterte during a weekly Talk to the People.

In his data, Tugade said 15 airports sustained minor damage including Busuanga, Puerto Princesa, Bicol, Caticlan, Kalibo, Roxas, Bohol-Panglao, Tacloban, Ormoc, Laguindingan, Cotabato, Davao, General Santos, Butuan, and Iloilo.

Eight airports including San Vicente, Dumaguete, Camiguin, Siquijor, Antique, Maasin, Surigao, and Mactan-Cebu, sustained major damages but were already fully operational.

Tugade also reported that the following estimated funds will be needed to repair the destroyed airports from the Odette aftermath:

• Siargao  Airport -  P13,500,000
• Surigao Airport  - P10,500,000
• Maasin Airport - P3,750,000
• Mactan Cebu Airport - P2,000,000

Added inconvenience

Moreover, Tugade said 45 vessels were damaged and non-operational due to Odette. Prior to Odette's wrath, the transportation chief said there were 119 ships operating for shipping services.

He said the scarcity of vessels was an added inconvenience to passengers in Odette-stricken areas.

"Diyan sa kakulangan na 'yun, nagdadagdag ng inconvenience sa mga tao," he said.

Tugade further said with the help of Maritime Industry Authority they issued a special permit to add nine more ships.

Moreover, Tugade said the Philippine Coast Guard also helped in the lack of vessels for transport operations. —NB, GMA News