TACLOBAN CITY – The Regional Development Council (RDC) urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to push through this year the construction of a new terminal building for Daniel Z. Romualdez (DZR) Airport here.
In a statement, the RDC’s infrastructure utilities and development committee asked DOTr-Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to prioritize the Tacloban Airport development under the present administration to meet the demand for increasing air traffic.
CAAP officials admitted that the ongoing feasibility study has derailed the facility’s actual construction.
RDC private sector representative for business Oliver Cam emphasized the need to continue the construction since the current terminal building is already overcrowded.
“Regardless of the findings of the study, our request to DOTr is to continue the construction of the said facility,” Cam said.
The national government is eyeing to complete the study by March 2017, according to a report from the National Economic Development Authority.
Under the 2017 proposal, the DZR Airport will get P652.8 million for the construction of a new terminal building, P253.5 million upgrading of existing runway, P2.55 million procurement of service vehicle, and P50.2 million acquisition of maintenance and service equipment.
The two-storey passenger terminal building, according to CAAP, will be equipped with passenger loading bridges, departure and arrival conveyors, elevators and escalators, flight display system, and security equipment.
The upgrade aims to improve the airport’s facilities to current aviation standards and cope with the increasing air traffic demand of Tacloban City and the whole of Eastern Visayas region.
Under CAAP’s original timeline, the new terminal building will be completed on Sept. 30, 2018.
(SARWELL Q. MENIANO)
