President Rodrigo Duterte inaugurated the newly rehabilitated Ormoc City airport during his latest visit to Eastern Visayas on July 5, 2019. The airport was heavily damaged by Supertyphoon Yolanda in 2013 and the 6.5-magnitude earthquake in 2017.

He was joined by Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director-General Captain Jim Sydiongco, as well as Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez of the 4th District of Leyte, and Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez.

The Ormoc Airport Development Project involved the rehabilitation of the passenger terminal building, construction of the administration building, and the improvement of the perimeter fence. The new terminal is expected to cater up to 130 passengers while accommodating 150 parked cars in its new parking area.

More improvements to the airport are expected in the coming year as DOTr Secretary Tugade promised that the airport will soon be night-rated, allowing it to accommodate flights even after sunset.

The airport will serve as the latest gateway to Eastern Visayas, providing easy access to top tourist destinations such as Lake Danao, Tongonan Hot Springs National Park, and Alto Peak, promising to boost Ormoc City’s economy through increased trade and tourism.

The Regional Development Council VIII’s Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RDC VIII-RPMC) has been continuously monitoring the progress of the Ormoc airport project in the past few years to ensure its timely completion.

Article by: Knulp Aseo/ Evangeline M. Paran
Photos by: Raul Tiozon/ PIA VIII