DOTr to expand aviation gateways to other airports

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will be expanding the international aviation gateways to include airports in Clark, Cebu, and Davao.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said this will be the plan once the National Capital Region transitions from a modified enhanced community quarantine to a general community quarantine on June 1.

"Mahalaga ito kasi this is one way of decongesting what is happening right now at [Ninoy Aquino International Airport] 1, 2, 3, and 4, and putting it in the provinces region," Tugade said  in a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte

"Bear in mind that we are an archipelago and, therefore, it is imperative that we spread the aviation centrum of operations to other parts of the country, other parts of the region," he added.

The secretary said they are also looking to include more airports from other parts of the country.

"Hangarin po namin na every one and two weeks dadagdagan 'yung international gateways para mapasama 'yung Zamboanga, Iloilo, and Bohol," he said.

While this is ongoing, Tugade said they are also establishing coronavirus disease 2019 test laboratories at the airports.

"Mahalaga ito kasi kung darating 'yung mga pasahero from international sa mga primary gateways na ito, kailangan 'yung testing facilities nandodoon," he said. -MDM, GMA News