The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Tuesday highlighted that a modular facility is cost-effective in catering to an increasing number of airport passengers.

“(Mounting a modular facility) is fast, around six months compared to at least five years to establish a passenger terminal building,” CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said at the Bagong Pilipinas briefing.

Without citing a figure, Apolonio said the construction cost is “mura” (cheap) and the steel made facility is typhoon-resilient.

“Since this is made of steel, this is not a fixed structure and can be moved depending on the needs, especially in tourist-oriented areas,” he added.

CAAP recently opened a modular facility at the Borongan Airport, citing this is the agency’s “sustainable approach to constructing terminal facilities with passenger amenities”.

The CAAP said a modular facility minimizes construction waste since it uses pre-fabricated structural steel.

Apolonio said CAAP will also introduce this facility at the Laguindingan Airport.

Construction will start in December and will be finished in June next year, he said.

The CAAP earlier announced that the modular facility’s budget for Laguindingan Airport is PHP36 million.

“Ridership at the Laguindingan Airport is too high so augmenting the facility is necessary. A modular (facility) could cater to additional 500 passengers,” he said.

Meanwhile, CAAP earlier said the use of a modular construction system will also be implemented in other airports across the country.

The facility could help augment check-in areas and passenger terminals with limited spaces, it said. (PNA)