The Department of Transportation (DOTr) inaugurated on Thursday, Sept. 2, the newly-upgraded Catarman Airport in Northern Samar as part of the national government's efforts to boost tourist activities in the province.
Transport Sec. Art Tugade, who joined Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Jim Sydiongco and other airport officials in the activity, said the "potential" in Catarman's tourism prompted him to act and improve the previous condition of the airport.
Prior to the upgrade, the airport could only accommodate up to 50 passengers at a time, DOTr said in a statement.
But with the recent rehabilitation and expansion, the airport can now serve up to 150 passengers daily—or 50,000 passengers anually—as they will have "a more convenient space while waiting for their flights or upon arrival," DOTr added.
It was only recently that the national government managed to work on the developments of the Catarman Airport after they were hampered when the province was hit by typhoons Nona in 2015 and Tisoy in 2019.