TACLOBAN CITY — Senator Lito Lapid, recently appointed as the new chairman of the Senate committee on tourism, has pledged to support funding for an airport lighting project in Calbayog City.
Senator Lapid made this commitment during his visit to Calbayog City on Thursday, August 8, where he distributed Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) and attended the ‘Adlaw han Barangay’ in Catbalogan City as part of the Samar Day celebrations.
The promise was made in the presence of Calbayog City Mayor Raymund Uy.
Sen. Lapid assured that he would help secure the P150 million needed for the airport lighting program, which will enable nighttime operations for the city’s airport.
“Makakatulong ito para magkaroon ng flight kahit na gabi,” he stated.
Currently, Calbayog City Airport operates only during the day, with Philippine Airlines providing flights from Manila three times a week and Cebu Pacific offering flights from Cebu four times a week.
Mayor Uy welcomed Senator Lapid’s promise, noting that it would significantly enhance the airport’s operations.
The airport is one of the four operational airports in Eastern Visayas, serving as a crucial link for passengers traveling from Samar and Northern Samar provinces.
Sen. Lapid was accompanied by his son, Mark Lapid, the Chief Operating Officer of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.
Additionally, during the AICS distribution, approximately 1,000 beneficiaries in the Tinambacan District received payouts totaling P3,000. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
