DOTC: 3 Yolanda-hit airports, 14 ports fully repaired

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) on Friday  said it has fully rehabilitated three airports and 14 ports in Eastern Visayas and Northern Palawan damaged by super typhoon Yolanda last year.

The DOTC, with the help of attached agencies  Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), fully repaired the Kalibo International Airport, the Roxas Airport  and the Busuanga Airport.

The DOTC, however, said that asphalt overlaying of Tacloban Airport’s runway is still being undertaken, limiting operations to small aircraft. 

The Kalibo and Busuanga airports cater to tourists visiting the country’s renowned beaches, while the Roxas airport serves over 200,000 passengers per year as a main gateway to the whole island of Panay.

The DOTC said that the government has shelled out P41.2 million to complete the rehabilitation of 14 ports, including Port of Naval in Biliran, the Ports of Danao, San Carlos, and Pulupandan in Negros Occidental, the  Ports of Coron, Culion, Cuyo, and El Nido in Palawan,  Port of Matnog in Sorsogon, The Ports of Legazpi, Tabaco, and Pasacao in Albay, Port of Maasin in Southern Leyte and  Sta. Fe Port in Bantayan, Cebu.

The state agency said the CAAP also has ongoing rehabilitation works for the Ormoc and Guiuan Airports.

It said that the department and the  PPA have 44 more port rehabilitation projects which are either ongoing or in the pipeline. 

The Cebu Ports Authority has  remaining project for Poro Port, and the Philippine Coast Guard has 14 projects lined up, the DOTC said. 

The DOTC said that two Land Transportation Office buildings are also currently being rehabilitated in Naval and Ormoc, while three others will follow in Carigara, Palompon, and Tacloban. 

The Tacloban office of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is also set to be rehabilitated. 

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