The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), joined by local government officials of Vigan City inaugurated the newly expanded and rehabilitated Vigan Airport earlier today, 25 May 2022.
No less than DOTr Secretary Art Tugade, CAAP Director General Jim Sydiongco, First District of Ilocos Sur Representative Deogracias Victor “DV” Savellano, Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Singson, Ilocos Sur Vice Governor Jerry Singson, Sta. Catalina, Ilocos Sur Mayor Edgar Rapanut, DOTr Undersecretary for Finance Giovanni Lopez, CAAP Deputy Director General for Administration BGen. John Estabillo, AFP (Ret.), and CAAP Area Manager Ronald Estabillo graced the occasion.
Funded by the DOTr General Appropriations Act (GAA) CY 2017, this project covers the expansion and rehabilitation of the existing passenger terminal building (PTB), construction of 5,000 and 10,000 gallons overhead water tanks, construction of an administration building, construction of a powerhouse, construction of vehicular parking area (VPA), construction of cyclone wire perimeter fence, strip width correction, provision of runway strip end and runway end safety area at runway end 02, the construction of turn-around pads, additional electrical works at the powerhouse, construction of box culvert, and runway drainage system to the tune of PHP76,561,694.60.
With the development project, an additional 294 square meters were added to the PTB, expanding it from 238 square meters to 532 square meters. The expansion has also allowed for separate spaces for pre-departure, check-in, and arrival areas which were all previously located in a common area. Now, the pre-departure area also increased its capacity from 40 seats to 150 seats, providing a more spacious and comfortable lounge for departing passengers.
“CAAP, with the support of Secretary Art Tugade, was able to accomplish many things in terms of improving aviation infrastructure despite the pandemic and other limitations we have faced over the years. That is why we are proud to be inaugurating Vigan Airport today. Vigan Airport is an asset to the city and the province of Ilocos Sur and will greatly boost the heritage city’s tourism,” according to CAAP Director General Jim Sydiongco.
DOTr-CAAP plans to continue improving Vigan Airport with the construction of a control tower building, power supply, and the supply/installation of communications and MET equipment as well as the construction of a perimeter fence and drainage system in the years to come.