DOTr urges contractors to fast-track repair of airport’s runway in Surigao City

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 13 -- Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade, with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), urged contractors to fast-track repair of the runway at the Surigao City airport, which was damaged by the 6.7 magnitude earthquake last February 10, 2017.

It can be recalled that right after the visit of President Rodrigo Duterte and his cabinet members in Surigao City to assess the situation of the quake victims, the operation at the Surigao City airport also resumed, however, only 1,000 meters from the standard 1,700-meter runway are being used until this time, and has only one airline company being accommodated and operating.

The limited flights posed an impact on the tourism industry of the said city.

In the recent surprise visit at the airport led by Secretary Martin Andanar of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), together with DOTr Asec. Giovanni Lopez, CAAP Director-General Jim Sydiongco, and Regional Director Abner Caga of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga, the officials thoroughly assessed and checked the condition of the runway.

“The provincial development council of Surigao del Norte requested yours truly to help follow-up the repair of the runway. That’s why I’m here, though this is the job of the DOTr and CAAP, we wanted to fast-track its repair and finish it within the timeline,” said Andanar.

The government has allocated more than P123-million fund for the Surigao Airport Development Project. Andanar and Lopez agreed that the contractors, the Pacific Concrete Products and VT Lao Construction, should set-up a concrete plant and batching plant near the airport to avoid similar delays in the future.

“While it is true that there is a delay of this project, but like what the secretary has said that the original contract duration is February 2020, that is non-negotiable. We are looking for ways really make that happen. We will deliver within the same period of time regardless of the delay,” Lopez said.

The 1,400 meters runway is expected to be finished by November in order to accommodate the high demand of flights in the Christmas season.

While the entire 1,700 meters will be completed by February 2020, CAAP emphasized that they will be monitoring the progress of this project. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


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