CALBAYOG CITY, Philippines — Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Director General Jim Sydiongco led the inauguration of the development projects at the Calbayog Airport in Samar yesterday.
The development project includes the construction of a new passenger terminal building.
With the completion of the project, the airport terminal has been transformed into a modern and improved facility, which can now accommodate 450 passengers from its previous 76-passenger capacity.
The project also includes a widened runway, expanded apron, construction of runway end safety area, a parking area, security fence and drainage system.
In his speech, Tugade stressed the need to develop transport infrastructure projects, such as airports, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, so that every region in the country will be equipped with the necessary facilities crucial for recovery and continuous growth.
“Dapat lang na balansehin natin ‘yung tinatawag na pangangailangan ng health protocols sa pangangailangan ng paglago ng ekonomiya,” he said.
“Ginagawa natin ang paliparan na ito, upang pagdating ng tinatawag na new normal, andiyan na ang pasilidad upang sa ganoon, ang negosyo, ang pagbiyahe ng ating mga kababayan at ang pag-unlad ng negosyo ay nakakasa na,” Tugade added.
The improvements and development of the Calbayog airport are expected to help boost economic activities and promote growth not only in Samar but in the entire Eastern Visayas.