NEDA board allots P2.1B fund for Tacloban airport redevelopment

TACLOBAN CITY , Philippines — The Daniel Z. Romualdez (DZR) Airport in this capital city of Leyte province has been allocated the amount of P2.1 billion for its redevelopment, according to a PIA-8 report.

The money, approved by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), is intended for the improvement of the airport terminal building, which will have a size of about 9,000 to 10,000 square meters, to accommodate the increasing volume of air travelers to the city.

Antonio Alfonso, area manager of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) that oversees the operations of the airport, said the improvement of the terminal building and its facilities is necessary to meet the needs of the times.

Alfonso added that the volume of airline passengers at the city airport is expected to rise in the next year elections because of the sorties of candidates running for national posts.

The redevelopment of the DZR Airport was mentioned by President Benigno Aquino III during his second state of the nation address (SONA) where he said that he wanted during his term the realization of the improvement of this airport, which is one of his projects under the private-public partnership (PPP).

The NEDA board had included the DZR Airport one of six PPP projects to be allocated with funds for improvement.  (FREEMAN)