Gov’t to spend P1.6B to build 4 prov’l airports
THE national government will be spending a total of P1.68 billion to build up four provincial airports next year, Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said on Sunday.
Pimentel said P950 million and P415 million will be spent to upgrade the Catbalogan Airport in Samar and the Ormoc Airport in Southern Leyte, respectively.
Pimentel said another P264.5 million will be spent to develop the Tandag Airport in his home province, while P54.5 million will go to the Itbayat Airport in the largest island of Batanes.
The spending is contained in the Department of Transportation’s aviation infrastructure program in the proposed P5.024-trillion national budget for 2022, according to Pimentel.
Under the program, allocations may be used to construct, rehabilitate and improve airport facilities.
“More specifically, the money may be spent to extend or widen runways, build new control towers, expand passenger terminals, or to acquire new navigational equipment, among others,” Pimentel said.
“In the case of the Tandag and Ormoc airports, both are being groomed for future night rating,” Pimentel said.
Night rating allows aircraft to land and take off after sunset.
“In Tandag, the airport’s runway is being extended from 1.4 kilometers to 1.6 kilometers, while a drainage system is being built to prevent possible flooding during the wet season,” Pimentel said.
