TACLOBAN CITY—The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office in Eastern Visayas reported that the construction of the Tacloban Airport Passenger Terminal Building is progressing ahead of schedule, with actual accomplishments significantly exceeding planned targets.
The DPWH is managing two contracts under the Tacloban City Airport Development Project, both of which are recording positive progress rates.
Based on the latest update, the phase 3 works of the Tacloban Airport Passenger Terminal Building has reached a 48.33% accomplishment rate, surpassing the scheduled target of 3.98%. Similarly, civil works for the support facilities of the new airport have achieved a 50% completion rate, well ahead of the 12.62% planned progress.
As of January 31, 2025, the overall completion rate for both contracts stands at 32.22%.
“Phase 3 of this project is on track, and we are optimistic that the civil works under DPWH’s responsibility will be completed ahead of schedule,” said DPWH Regional Director Edgar Tabacon in a statement.
The DPWH regional office commenced work on Phase 3 in October 2024. This phase includes embankment works, waterproofing, tile installation, painting, and the installation of essential equipment such as the air-conditioning system and electric elevators.
Carpentry and joinery works, along with the installation of screening and ground support equipment, are also part of the scope.
Out of the P1 billion allotment for this contract, P387.438 million has been disbursed as of the January 31st report.
In addition to the terminal building, the DPWH is concurrently working on various support facilities, including the rescue and firefighting facility, motor pool and maintenance building, sewage treatment plant, passenger terminal parking and taxiway, material recovery facility, and site development works, such as civil works and landscaping.
The contract for these support facilities, scheduled for completion in October 2025, has utilized P159.776 million from its P500 million allocation.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), the lead agency for the airport project, is responsible for phases 1 and 2.
The development of the new Tacloban City Airport aims to enhance infrastructure, improve passenger experience, and strengthen the city’s role as a key travel hub in Eastern Visayas.
Despite rapid progress, the DPWH continues to coordinate closely with CAAP Area 8 to address challenges, including adverse weather conditions affecting the region since the last quarter of 2024.
Once operational, the modernized Daniel Z. Romualdez (DZR) Airport, ranked as the 7th busiest in the country, is expected to accommodate international flights, further boosting economic and tourism growth in the region.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
