Marinduque airport reopens

The Marinduque Airport once again opened for commercial operations after a long-delayed rehabilitation plan was finished.

This was announced by the Department of Transportation, which led the inauguration of a new passenger terminal building and extended runway together the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines last April 11.

The opening of the air gateway will provide easier access to the island province, known for its old churches and the annual Moriones Festival. The DOTr said Cebu Pacific Air recently launched thrice weekly flights from Manila using its 78-seater ATR 72-600 planes.

“The government recognizes that developing an airport such as that of Marinduque’s will provide a boost to the province’s trade, economy and tourism,” the DOTr said in a statement.

The airport last had regular commercial flights on May 2013. Delays were reportedly due mainly to a local political feud.

Previously, those visiting Marinduque had to take an eight-hour ferry trip. Flights from Manila have cut that to an hour.

Located in Barangay Masiga in the municipality of Gasan, Marinduque, the rehabilitation budget for the airport’s passenger terminal building was set at about P9 million. The construction started on April 11, 2016 and was completed on March 4, 2018.

According to the DOTr, improvements included lowering the ceiling of the passenger building and installing new air conditioning units and X-ray machines. New CCTV cameras were also installed.

Meanwhile, P12.7 million was allotted to extend the runway to 1,533 meters from 1,400 meters. This allowed Marinduque to handle short-range turboprop commercial planes.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the reopening of the airport was in line with the administration’s goal to develop provincial destinations across the Philippines.

“I want the farthest regions and the farthest provinces to be connected with one another and integrated to Metro Manila,” Tugade said.

The DOTr noted it would continue to improve the Marinduque Airport through 2020. New projects will include the provision of a canal, power house, communal toilets and the construction of a covered pathway and waiting areas.