By PR | 03:52 PM August 26, 2021
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade, together with Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Jim Sydiongco, inaugurated Thursday the completed development projects at the Siquijor Airport in Central Visayas.
These completed developments include the airport’s new Passenger Terminal Building (PTB), powerhouse, and vehicular parking area (VPA).
Furthermore, other projects which were realized and completed ahead of their target completion date are the repair and maintenance of the perimeter fence and construction of concrete pathwalk, runway provision, taxiway and apron markings.
As Secretary Tugade expressed his exuberance towards the completion of the projects, he also reiterated his aspiration to further advance the status of the airport, from community to a tourism airport.
“Kailangan, target-in nating maitaas ang antas ng community airport into a tourism airport nang sa ganon ang pasahero will not be limited to 10, kundi magiging 60, at hopefully, in the near future, maging 100. Para nang sa ganon, ‘yung hangarin ninyong ito’y isang maging paraiso at daungan ng mga pasahero at turista upang masilayan at makita ang kagandahan ng Siquijor ay mabigyang buhay, at mabigyang patotoo,” Secretary Tugade said.
Secretary Tugade likewise announced other development proposals for the airport, including the expansion, widening, and asphalt overlay of the airport’s runway, in a bid to cater larger aircrafts.
For his part, DG Sydiongco noted the incessant cooperation and partnership of the DOTr, CAAP and the Siquijor LGU, to assure the effective and seamless progress of the current and future improvement and enhancement projects for the airport.
“The DOTr, CAAP, and Siquijor LGU will continuously work together to ensure the development of Siquijor’s air mobility, accessibility, and connectivity. Given that, proposals for commercial flights in Siquijor airport are currently being studied and processed,” DG Sydiongco said.
Meanwhile, several provincial and local government officials conveyed their messages of support and gratitude, for the successful fruition of the projects.
For his part, Siquijor Governor Zaldy Villa expressed, “Secretary Tugade, maraming salamat po. Ako po ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat kay President Rodrigo Roa Duterte at sa Department of Transportation.”
Siquijor Congressman Jay Vincent Villa, on the other hand, said, “Secretary Tugade has been an instrument in continuing to develop the new Siquijor Airport. We thank you, Secretary Tugade, along with your team, for your tremendous support for our request for this airport. With your support, Siquijor now has a new airport that we can be proud of.”
Lastly, for his part, Siquijor Mayor Richard Quezon commended the kind of leadership Secretary Tugade exhibits, which led to the successful fulfillment of various transport infrastructure projects across the country.
With the roll-out of developments, the Siquijor Airport can now be able to accommodate 60 passengers at any given time, six times higher than its previous passenger capacity of only 10. Also, a more comfortable and convenient air travel can now be experienced by the air-riding public, and a wide array of social, economic, and tourism opportunities awaits the people of Siquijor.
Other key officials present in the event were Siquijor Vice Governor Mei Ling Quezon-Brown, Maria Mayor Meynard Asok, DOTr Undersecretary for Finance Giovanni Lopez, Assistant Secretary for Aviation and Airports Jaime Melo, and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Santiago.