In the midst of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) stated that the construction projects at the Catarman Airport had been finished and would be inaugurated.
The project was undertaken by the Department of Transportation and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) in order to meet the growing demand for air transportation in Northern Samar.
The inauguration event will be led by Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, who will be attended by CAAP Director General Capt. Jim Sydiongco and numerous local government leaders.
The construction of a Passenger Terminal Building (PTB), the expansion of the airport’s apron, the construction of additional taxiways, the construction of a perimeter fence, the re-blocking of the dilapidated apron pavement, asphalt overlay, and shoulder grade correction at the runway are among the completed development projects.
The Catarman Airport, according to the Department of Transportation, acts as a backup gateway in the event of catastrophes or natural disasters.
The super storm “Yolanda” wrought devastation in the Visayas in 2013, damaging the Tacloban Airport and prompting Catarman Airport to step in and help deliver relief items, medications, and other things.
Catarman Airport was similarly damaged by typhoon “Nona” in 2015, necessitating emergency restoration efforts, which were just completed.
Following another big storm that slammed the region in 2019, the airport’s PTB is also guaranteed to be sustainable and structurally sound.
The upgrade of the Catarman Airport intends to assist support the region’s expanding local and international visitor arrivals, and the DoTr had proposed updating the current Catarman Airport facilities, based on the province’s tourism development potential.
The airport’s PTB now has the ability to carry 150 people at any given time and 50,000 passengers yearly, up from 50 previously.
With its rehabilitation work done, Catarman Airport can now handle two turboprop Q-400 aircraft, which is projected to improve commercial flight handling in Catarman and Northern Samar.
With additional report: tribune
Image sources: wazzup and portcall
