The newly expanded and rehabilitated Vigan Airport. Photo courtesy of CAAP
DOTr, CAAP unveil rehabilitated Vigan Airport
THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), joined by local government officials of Vigan City, inaugurated the newly expanded and rehabilitated Vigan Airport Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
The event is attended by DOTr Secretary Art Tugade, CAAP Director General Jim Sydiongco, 1st District Ilocos Sur Representative Deogracias Victor “DV” Savellano, Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Singson, Ilocos Sur Vice Governor Jerry Singson, Sta. Catalina (Ilocos Sur) Mayor Edgar Rapanut, DOTr Undersecretary for Finance Giovanni Lopez, CAAP Deputy Director General for Administration BGen. John Estabillo, AFP (Ret.), and CAAP Area Manager Ronald Estabillo.
The development project, funded by the DOTr GAA CY 2017, costs a total of P76,561,694.60 and covers the expansion and rehabilitation of the existing passenger terminal building (PTB), construction of 5,000 and 10,000 gallons overhead water tanks, construction of administration building, construction of power house, construction of vehicular parking area (VPA), construction of cyclone wire perimeter fence, strip width correction, provision of runway strip end and runway end safety area at runway end 02, the construction of turn-around pads, additional electrical works at the power house, construction of box culvert, and runway drainage system.
An additional 294 square meters were added to the PTB with the development project, expanding it from 238 square meters to 532 square meters.
The expansion has also allowed for separate spaces for pre-departure, check-in, and arrival areas previously located in a common area.
The pre-departure area also increased from 40 seats to 150 seats, providing a more spacious and comfortable lounge for departing passengers.
“CAAP, with the support of Secretary Art Tugade, was able to accomplish many things in terms of improving aviation infrastructure despite the pandemic and other limitations we have faced over the years. That is why we are proud to be inaugurating Vigan Airport today. Vigan Airport is an asset to the city and the province of Ilocos Sur and will greatly boost the heritage city’s tourism,” CAAP Director General Jim Sydiongco said.
In the years to come, DOTr-CAAP plans to continue improving Vigan Airport with the construction of a control tower building, power supply, the supply/installation of communications and MET (Meteorological) equipment and the construction of a perimeter fence and drainage system. By Jun I. Legaspi
