In eastern visayas: 9 airports get funds for upgrades

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — Nine airports in the region are set for upgrading and a total of P167.35 million has been earmarked for these projects, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) in Eastern Visayas.

Antonio Alfonso, CAAP area manager, said the project for the upgrading of the nine airports, seven of which have no passenger aircraft operations, is part of the five-year development plan for implementation this year, a PIA-8 report said.

Alfonso said the facilities of the airports need to be rehabilitated for safety purposes and to prevent encroachments even if the airports are not really earning.

Of the nine airports, the one with the biggest allotment is Ormoc Airport in the western part of Leyte with a P33 million funding for the completion of improvement of passenger terminal building, continuation of perimeter and security fence and improvement of fire station building.

Others, with their corresponding allocations, are Borongan Airport in Eastern Samar with P27 million; Catarman Airport in Northern Samar (P23.15 million); Catbalogan Airport in Catbalogan City of Samar (P22 million); Guiuan Airport in Guiuan, Eastern Samar (P19.5 million); Hilongos Airport in Hilongos, Leyte (P17 million); the community airport in Naval, Biliran (P11.2 million); Maasin Airport in Maasin City, Southern Leyte (P9.5 million); and Calbayog Airport in Calbayog City of Samar (P5 million). (FREEMAN)