BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – The long-neglected Bagabag airport here is expected to be back in full harness next year following years of intermittent operations due to poor and outdated facilities.
This after the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has poured in additional P70 million for the airport’s continued rehabilitation and buildup designed to accommodate bigger aircrafts once it becomes fully operational next year.
Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Thompson Lantion, also DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza’s concurrent spokesperson, yesterday said that the additional fund was already being utilized for the lengthening, widening and concreting of the airport’s 1.2-kilometer runway.
“The operation of the airport is expected to be back in full swing next year or once the upgrading of its runway to accommodate medium-sized aircrafts and smaller cargo planes is completed next year,” said Lantion, who hails from this landlocked province.
The DOTC said at least three local air companies, Asian Spirit, SEAir and Air Philippines, have already signified interest in plying the Bagabag airport route, serving commuters and tourists going to and from Central Cordillera areas as well as to the Island province of Batanes and to the Ilocos region via Laoag International Airport.
The latest fund release was part of the multimillion-peso package being programmed by the Arroyo government for the full and long-term rehabilitation as well as upgrading of the more than 50-year-old airport, which had been neglected during past administrations.
Earlier, Lantion said, the DOTC also released some P8 million for the construction and upgrading of the airport’s control tower, which is expected for completion by the end of the year.
“The control tower will eventually be equipped with state-of-the-art ground and air control equipment to ensure the safety as well as monitoring of outgoing and incoming flights,” he said.
President Arroyo, every time she visits the region, always emphasized the need to upgrade the Bagabag airport to further accelerate Northern Luzon’s economic growth, especially with Cagayan Valley now being strengthened as the country’s food basket.
“The airport is one of the department’s priorities, which is in line with the President’s vision of fast-tracking economic and tourism growth in the region and in central Cordillera areas,” Lantion said.
The Bagabag airport is around two-hour drive through well-paved highway to Banaue, Ifugao and few hours more to Sagada, Mountain Province, two one of the country’s major tourism destinations.
This after the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has poured in additional P70 million for the airport’s continued rehabilitation and buildup designed to accommodate bigger aircrafts once it becomes fully operational next year.
Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Thompson Lantion, also DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza’s concurrent spokesperson, yesterday said that the additional fund was already being utilized for the lengthening, widening and concreting of the airport’s 1.2-kilometer runway.
“The operation of the airport is expected to be back in full swing next year or once the upgrading of its runway to accommodate medium-sized aircrafts and smaller cargo planes is completed next year,” said Lantion, who hails from this landlocked province.
The DOTC said at least three local air companies, Asian Spirit, SEAir and Air Philippines, have already signified interest in plying the Bagabag airport route, serving commuters and tourists going to and from Central Cordillera areas as well as to the Island province of Batanes and to the Ilocos region via Laoag International Airport.
The latest fund release was part of the multimillion-peso package being programmed by the Arroyo government for the full and long-term rehabilitation as well as upgrading of the more than 50-year-old airport, which had been neglected during past administrations.
Earlier, Lantion said, the DOTC also released some P8 million for the construction and upgrading of the airport’s control tower, which is expected for completion by the end of the year.
“The control tower will eventually be equipped with state-of-the-art ground and air control equipment to ensure the safety as well as monitoring of outgoing and incoming flights,” he said.
President Arroyo, every time she visits the region, always emphasized the need to upgrade the Bagabag airport to further accelerate Northern Luzon’s economic growth, especially with Cagayan Valley now being strengthened as the country’s food basket.
“The airport is one of the department’s priorities, which is in line with the President’s vision of fast-tracking economic and tourism growth in the region and in central Cordillera areas,” Lantion said.
The Bagabag airport is around two-hour drive through well-paved highway to Banaue, Ifugao and few hours more to Sagada, Mountain Province, two one of the country’s major tourism destinations.
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