The Tacloban airport expansion is only two years away, according to the Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The project suffered several delays but remains to be one of the priorities for the current administration.
Tacloban airport expansion details and overview
The Daniel Z Romualdez Airport, located in Tacloban, Leyte, is classified as a major domestic airport by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). The Tacloban airport is the 7th busiest airport in the Philippines and caters to as much as 1,500,000 passengers. Due to the rising number of passengers, the Tacloban airport is expanding its complex by construction a new passenger terminal building.
According to the Department of Transportation (DoTR), the Tacloban airport expansion will be a state of the art facility. The airport is also eyeing to upgrade its classification to an international airport with the expansion. The new building will be implemented by CAAP, and funding was secured through a memorandum of agreement (MOA).
The construction of the Tacloban airport was divided into two phases. The first phase of the Tacloban airport terminal costs $13 million and the second phase costs $17 million. The Philippine national government will also alot $8.5 million for airport facilities.
Aside from the new passenger terminal, the runway will also be extended from 2,100 meters to 2,500 meters. The extension is a necessary requirement for the Tacloban Airport to become an international airport by 2025.
Other development projects are also being constructed to support the airport expansion. One of the supporting projects is a causeway road development costing $79 million. This will be a road development that will provide a shorter route from downtown Tacloban to the airport, significantly cutting down travel time.
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Eyeing a 2026 completion date
According to the Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Tacloban passenger terminal building will be completed by 2026, and will meet the required international standards. He stressed that the airport in Tacloban is a priority for the current administration.
“The passenger terminal building, runways and access roads will be constructed along with the expansion of the entire airport complex. The goal is to be operational by 2026 and enhance transportation experience at the Tacloban airport.”
Since the Tacloban airport expansion began construction works, the project has suffered several delays mainly due to the lack of construction materials which prompted lesser manpower. However, as of 2024 the project is eyeing for a full completion by 2028.
The Tacloban airport’s long history
Tacloban is an urbanized city at the heart of Leyte, Philippines and acts as a gateway to Eastern Visayas.
The Tacloban airport has a long history. First known as the San Jose Airstrip back in World War II, the airstrip was used by the US forces up until the end of World War II when it was converted to a commercial airport. In 2013, the airport was struck by Typhoon Haiyan and destroyed the airport terminal and control tower.
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