Several national and local government executives met on Thursday to discuss improvements to the Camiguin Airport runway.
In a media interview during his visit to Camiguin Airport in Mambajao town, Department of Transportation (DOTr) acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the planned improvements are in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s order to accommodate bigger aircraft for cheaper airfares and to boost local tourism.
“Napakaganda ng Camiguin kaya dapat nating i-improve ang airport natin dito para mas maraming turista ang makabisita at matulungan ding mapalago ang ekonomiya ng probinsya (Camiguin is very beautiful, that’s why we need to improve the runway so that more tourists can visit and help grow the province’s economy),” Lopez said.
He discussed the improvements with DOTr Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Jim Sydiongco, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Deputy Director General Danjun Lucas, Philippine Ports Authority General Manager Jay Santiago and Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus “JJ” Romualdo.
He assured Romualdo that the site acquisition to extend the airport’s 1,200-meter runway to 2,400 meters is already being fast-tracked.
On Feb. 5, Lopez announced the planned extension of all runways in regional and provincial airports to a minimum standard of 2,100 meters.
The move is meant to make domestic travel more affordable to both local and foreign tourists, especially to some of the country’s top destinations. (PNA)
