Tandag Airport runway to be extended to by end of 2021 –DOTr

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on Tuesday night said they are seeking to extend the runway of the Tandag Airport from 1.4 kilometers to 1.6 kilometers by the end of 2021.

“Wala pa ho night landing. Ang giangawa ngayon, i-extend namin ‘yung runway that’s 1.4 kilometers. Plano po namin matapos ‘yung extension hanggang end of the year into 1.6,” he said in a live briefing.

“Feeling ko ho ‘yung style ng, if I may say… ‘yung China, build the improvements and let the people come. Kaya nga po papahabain namin ‘yung runway from 1.4 to 1.6, maintaining at the same time the 30 meters width-length,” he later added.

Tugade issued the remark after President Rodrigo Duterte asked if it was possible to make the Surigao Airport night-rated.

Tugade said it was possible in due time.

“In due time, ‘yung night-rated will come. Ang importante lang ho sa night-rated ay ‘yung demographics ho ng pasahero. In fact, ‘yung mga airlines ngayon, hindi pa masyadong kumbinsado dito,” he said.

Tugade said making an airport night-rated would also bring passengers.

“Ito ho ang importante kasi diyan sa night-rated, ‘yung number of trips, number of passengers. Ang feeling ko diyan, pag night-rate mo naman ‘yan, darating ‘yung passengers, darating ‘yung trips,” he said.

“That is the position i am holding right now,” he added. — DVM, GMA News