The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has completed the development of passenger terminal buildings (PTB) in two Mindanao airports—Zamboanga International Airport and Jolo Airport.
Zamboanga International Airport’s PTB has been rehabilitated and construction of Jolo Airport’s PTB completed, CAAP said in a statement.
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Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the recent developments are just in time for the resumption of commercial operations of most airports, which have suspended operations during the enforcement of strict community quarantine across the country to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease.
Aside from the construction of a PTB, other ongoing projects at Jolo Airport—the only gateway serving the province of Sulu—include continuing construction of its perimeter fence, site acquisition for its runway extension, relocation/construction of fire station building, construction of an administration building, and correction of the runway strip width.
Moreover, there is continuing appropriations for site acquisition of the New Zamboanga International Airport, to be located in the Mercedes-Talabaan areas, about 17 kilometers away from the city proper. The new location has been proposed for decades as the old airport is situated close to the city center, limiting vertical development in the commercial area.
CAAP director general Jim Sydiongco said improvements in the Zamboanga and Jolo airports signify the readiness of the country’s aviation industry to build regional hubs as the industry transitions to the “new normal” amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“We may have been hit hard by this pandemic but we will always come up with strategic plans to help cushion its impact. Apart from our completed airport projects, we also have other ongoing projects expected to be operational soon. These will surely contribute to our smooth transition, especially that we are promoting the use of regional airports to decongest NAIA,” Sydiongco said.
