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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Expansion of Naga Airport runway feasible under DOTr modernization plan—Villafuerte

Expansion of Naga Airport runway feasible under DOTr modernization plan—Villafuerte

Published Feb 22, 2024 05:59 am

At A Glance

  • Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte is expecting the long-awaited expansion of Naga Airport's runway to be included in the Department of Transportation's (DOTr) implementation of its P14-billion program that aims to rehabilitate and modernize regional airports across the country.

Lray Villafuerte.jpg

Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte (PPAB)

 

 

 

 

Will the long-awaited expansion of Naga Airport’s runway finally see the light of day?

Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte is expecting this project to be included in the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) implementation of its P14-billion program that aims to rehabilitate and modernize regional airports across the country.

In a statement on Wednesday, Feb. 21, Villafuerte noted that this airport project was already approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) during the administration of late former President Benigno Aquino III.

It was later identified as a “flagship project” under the succeeding Duterte government. However, it remained on the drawing board as a result of “drawn-out” expropriation proceedings.

“However, with the recent announcement by Secretary Jaime Bautista that the DOTr has set aside P14 billion for the modernization of our regional airports, we are hoping the expansion of the Naga Airport runway to Pili will finally take off this time around under the Marcos presidency,” said Villafuerte.

The National Unity Party (NUP) president emphasized that the improvement of air connectivity and mobility will support the Marcos government’s drive to boost the post-pandemic recovery of Philippine tourism.

“Thus, the need for the expansion of the Naga Airport up to Pili to ensure safer plane landings, increase passenger traffic and boost local tourism, given that a much longer landing field would enable the airport to accommodate bigger commercial aircraft or jets,” he said.

The current expansion plan is to extend the 1.3-kilometer (km) landing strip to 2 km to accommodate bigger aircraft such as the Airbus A320, whose passenger capacity doubles that of small turbo-prop planes like the Bombardier Q400 that land at the Naga Airport.

Villafuerte, who previously served as governor of the province, said this project would provide a big boost to Bicol's trade and tourism.

He expects a “dramatic increase” in foreign and local visitor arrivals as an extended runway will open more routes and destinations to the airport.

The lawmaker eyes the possibility of including direct international flights for tourists and businesspersons after the expansion.

Related Tags

Bicol naga Airport airport modernization lray villafuerte
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