The Department of Transportation (DOTr) recently opened the modern Catbalogan Airport’s new passenger terminal building (PTB) in Samar.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said in a statement the new PTB will dramatically increase Catbalogan Airport’s capacity from just 10 to 400 passengers.
“The airport’s expansion clearly demonstrates the Department of Transportation’s commitment to delivering effective and convenient travel for passengers,” Bautista said.
Showcasing its sustainable design, the new airport terminal will provide state-of-the-art facilities to meet the growing demands of air travel, DOTr said.
To complement the new PTB, a new apron measuring 180 meters by 100 meters is being constructed to accommodate up to three Airbuses and two Q400 aircraft.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, the expansion is expected to facilitate more flights and boost ridership at Catbalogan Airport.
Last month, DOTr opened the bidding for six regional airport development projects amounting to P1.66 billion.
The airport projects involve the construction of asphalt overlay of runway for Laoag costing P577 million, improvement of airside facilities in Vigan for P48.4 million, construction of a perimeter fence and road at Bukidnon airport for P77.3 million, construction of horizontal and vertical structure at Tacloban airport for P661.1 million, construction of secant piles in Marinduque for P49.1 million, and the development of Antique airport amounting to P247.09 million.
At present, the country has a total of 90 airports, of which 45 have commercial operations, nine are international gateways and 25 are night-rated.
