Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade has assured Pangasinenses that the Lingayen airport will be developed into a commercial airport from its general aviation airport status.

“If we cannot finish it by the end of President Rodrigo Duterte’s term, at least we have already started it,” Tugade said in an interview here on Thursday.

He said the development of the Lingayen airport will start with the acquisition of land to increase its runway length and width.

“Pahahabain natin ang runway from 90 meters to 1.3 kilometers (km) to 1.5 km at yong width from 30 meters to 40 meters (We will extend its length from 90 meters to 1.3 kms. to 1.5 kms. and its width from 30 meters to 40 meters),” he added.

Tugade said they are working with the local government unit of Lingayen and the provincial government of Pangasinan to implement these improvements.

“Amid the pandemic, the asphalt overlay of (Lingayen airport) track, which commenced in 2018, was completed in August 2020. On the other hand, construction of (the) barbed wire perimeter fence of the Alaminos airport is already complete,” Tugade said in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

He said two “social tourism port projects” have already been completed in Pangasinan in the maritime sector.

Meanwhile, Governor Amado Espino III expressed excitement over the plan of the DOTr for the Lingayen airport.

Tugade is in Pangasinan to visit and inspect the Pangasinan North River landing, a project completed by the DOTr in 2018, and to conduct dialogues with the transport group in the province.

Lingayen Mayor Leopoldo Bataoil expressed gratitude for the projects accomplished in his town. (PNA)