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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider DOTr orders swift repair of Masbate airport after typhoon 'Opong'

DOTr orders swift repair of Masbate airport after typhoon 'Opong'

Published Sep 27, 2025 04:45 pm
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has ordered the swift procurement of construction materials to repair the Moises R. Espinosa Airport, also known as Masbate Airport, which faced heavy damage from the onslaught of Typhoon Opong.
In a statement on Saturday, Sept. 27, Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said he has directed the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to undertake emergency procurement of supplies for airport repair works.
The DOTr estimates the damage to the passenger terminal building at Masbate Airport to be between ₱10 million and ₱15 million.
Lopez said the CAAP will build a makeshift terminal for passengers while the building's renovation is still ongoing.
“But the problem in our situation now is that the suppliers of construction materials have also been affected [by the typhoon],” said Lopez, who led the inspection at the airport.
According to the DOTr, Typhoon Opong was one of the strongest typhoons to hit Masbate in recent years.
This prompted flight cancellations and suspension of operations at Masbate Airport since Thursday, Sept. 25.
CAAP is targeting to resume flights at the airport on Monday.
Lopez added that the millions of damages in the airport reflect the need to upgrade gateways across the country to be typhoon-resilient.
“There are many typhoons that hit us every year, which is why all airports and seaports must be structurally prepared,” he said.
The DOTr chief earlier ordered the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) to require airlines to grant passengers a full refund should they request it for flights canceled due to Typhoon Opong.
There should be no rebooking fees and other charges for canceled flights caused by the typhoon, he said.
Meanwhile, Lopez also inspected the Masbate Port, which sustained minor damage from the typhoon.
He instructed port authorities to procure additional air-to-water converters to ensure a sufficient supply of potable water in the port during emergencies.
The DOTr has been on high alert in view of Typhoon Opong, which has now exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), deploying 166 rescue boats and 122 vehicles for rescue operations.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) are implementing a no-sail policy in ports to ensure the safety of passengers.

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Department of Transportation (DOTr) Typhoon Opong Masbate
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