Tuguegarao Airport closed, damaged by Ompong

The Tuguegarao Airport in Cagayan was closed to the public on Saturday as its passenger terminal was extensively damaged by Typhoon Ompong (international name: Mangkhut), the Department of Transportation said.

In an advisory, the DOTr said Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade went to the Tuguegarao Airport to monitor the state of its facilities, and check the safety of airport personnel.

"Nakita namin 'yung nasalantang airport, 'yung mga opisina roon kasama na 'yung opisina ng CAAP [Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines] ... Makikita 'yung opisina 'yung glasses po ay  splintered. 'Yung X-ray machines mukhang nabagsakan ng ceiling. Pati mga computers nabagsakan," Tugade said in a phone patch interview during a press briefing at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council office.

Photos provided by Transportation Assistant Secretary Giovanni Lopez also showed the extent of damage caused by the typhoon in the airport's passenger terminal.

The airport in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan is closed to the public on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, after strong winds and heavy rains brought about by Typhoon Ompong (Mangkhut) caused heavy damage to its terminal. Photo courtesy of DOTr

Offices at the Tuguegarao Airport are in disarray after strong winds and heavy rains from Typhoon Ompong caused heavy damage. Photo courtesy of DOTr

The glass windows at Tuguegarao Airport were shattered by Typhoon Ompong's strong winds and heavy rains. Photo courtesy of DOTr

Tugade, meanwhile, said upon initial checking, the runway so far has no observable damage.

However, further inspection will be made to assess the runway's condition once the weather situation improves. 

Cagayan was placed under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 4 due to Ompong, but this signal was lowered to No. 3 as of 11 a.m. Saturday. 

Winds of 121-170 kph which may last for the next 18 hours are to be expected, PAGASA said. —Ted Cordero/KG, GMA News