Gov’t spending P690M to fix 4 airports

The Department of Transportation is spending almost P690 million to extend runways and lay down fresh asphalt in four provincial airports.

The DOTr, in a statement, said the funds would come from its budget with the airport improvements to be led by the Department of National Defense (DND). In line with this, a memorandum of agreement between the DOTr and DND was signed this week.

Specifically, the agreement amounted to P688.02 million. This will pay for the asphalt overlay of runway and strip grade correction of the Laoag International Airport, the runway extension of the Vigan Airport, asphalt overlay of the runway of Cotabato Airport and the construction of perimeter fence and embankment of the Sanga-Sanga (Tawi-Tawi) Airport.

“Today, we sign a Memorandum of Agreement giving you four projects, designed precisely to make the Filipino life comfortable. I hope this is just the beginning of many wonderful days to come, where the National Defense can walk hand in hand with (DOTr) in trying to fulfill the mandate of making the Filipino life comfortable,” Transportation Secretary Tugade said.

The AFP Task Force for Infrastructure Development, headed by M/Gen. Felipe Bejar, will undertake the airport projects, according to the statement.