No less than Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade led the inauguration of the rehabilitated Surigao Airport in Surigao City Wednesday.

Surigao City Airport Manager Junelito Abrazado said the improvements include an expanded runway, renovated passenger terminal building, and the establishment of the airport’s Aerodome Rescue and Firefighting Building.

Tugade was joined by Surigao City mayor-elect Paul Dumlao and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Jim Sydiongco.

The airport suffered major damages when a magnitude 6.7 earthquake hit Surigao City in February 2017 and during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette in December last year.

“This is a simple gathering to celebrate the completion of the improvements here at Surigao Airport,” Tugade said in his message.

The secretary said he personally saw the damages at the airport in 2017 and in 2021 and vowed to work for its rehabilitation to provide better services to the people of the city and the province of Surigao del Norte.

He said the airport plays an important role in terms of the connectivity of the city to the rest of Mindanao and the country.

Abrazado said a total of PHP60.8 million budget was incurred for the expansion and repair of the runway.

“The rehabilitation of the passenger terminal and the establishment of the rescue and firefighting building have a total cost of PHP20 million,” Abrazado said.

The airport’s expanded runway now has a total length of 1,400 meters while improvements at the passenger terminal include the provision of additional 11 restrooms, installation of toilet fixtures, and the installation of nine air conditioning units.

“After the two major calamities that heavily damaged the airport, it is now ready to serve the people of Surigao,” Abrazado said. (PNA)