Gov't plans to install modular terminals to decongest traffic at airports

MANILA, Philippines - The government is looking at installing modular airport terminals as a short-term solution to congestion in high-traffic local airports.

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. told The STAR at the sidelines of the Yeosu Expo in South Korea that the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) are studying the feasibility of installing modular terminals while expansion and/or construction of permanent air terminals are being undertaken. Installation of a modular terminal usually takes about six months.

Based on German technology, the modular terminals can be knocked down and re-assembled in other locations. The modular airport terminal is very popular in Europe, as well as in Latin and South America countries.

Rolando Cañizal, director of Tourism Planning, Research and Information Management of the DOT, told The STAR that the DOT has proposed the installation of modular airport terminals in “airports where substantial passenger traffic congestion is being experienced due to extensive operation of low-cost carriers and the boom in tourism.” These areas include Tagbilaran, Bohol (while an P8-billion international airport complex is being planned for nearby Panglao); Puerto Princesa, Palawan (gateway to the Underground River, one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature); and Kalibo, Aklan (jump-off point for the world’s best island Boracay).

He clarified, however, that there is no definite agreement yet on how many units will be installed, as this depends on the budget to be allocated by the DOTC.

But Cañizal added that the DOT is “discussing with the DOTC the possibility of installing at least one by early next year,” and that the DOTC is finalizing the “essential components of the modular building before bidding it out to prospective suppliers.”