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DOTr's Dizon seeks improvements in Siargao Airport
DOTR Sec. Vince Dizon orders modular expansion, removal of VIP lounge and redundant xray machines at Siargao Airport
— Joseph Morong ???????? (@Joseph_Morong) March 27, 2025
Dizon was miffed at the inconvenience experienced by tourists at the airport that handles 17 flights daily and a top draw during the Holy Week @gmanews @24OrasGMA… pic.twitter.com/afDkT7tSTe
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has ordered several changes in Siargao Airport in a bid to enhance the air travel experience of passengers going to one of the country’s top tourist destinations.
Dizon, who personally inspected key airport development projects in Mindanao over the weekend, directed modular expansion in Siargao Airport to increase seating capacity and address the heavy crowding, as well as the removal of VIP lounge and redundant x-ray machines to speed up the security check process.
Based on videos posted by GMA Integrated News’ Joseph Morong on X (formerly Twitter), Dizon was seen displeased by the inconvenience experienced by tourists at the airport which handles 17 flights a day.
“Grabe ang hirap ng mga kababayan natin at ‘yung mga turista dito. Sobrang sikip at mainit! Pinatanggal ko itong VIP lounge hindi naman kailangan ‘to and magagamit ito para lumawag kahit konti ang space para sa pasahero," Dizon said in a statement.
(Our locals and tourists here are having a hard time. The airport is very crowded and hot! I ordered to have this VIP lounge removed as it’s not necessary and it can be used to free some space up for passengers.)
“Seeing the immediate need for more spaces inside the terminal building for the passengers, Sec. Dizon instructed CAAP to immediately implement expansion works for the terminal building that will effectively triple the current seating capacity of the airport,” the agency said.
“He also directed the Office for Transportation Security to already remove the initial security screening of passengers, after a careful security risk assessment conducted,” it added.
The DOTr said that the development project for Siargao Airport is set to be completed by May 2025, which would benefit both locals and tourists.
Dizon also reiterated the DOTr's long-term goal of making Siargao Airport an international hub and directed the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to accelerate plans for extending the runway and building a new and world-class passenger terminal.
“Tututukan natin ang expansion at pagpapaganda ng Siargao Airport bilang isang international gateway na nagpapakita ng lumalaking kahalagahan ng Siargao Island na itinuturing na isa sa mga top tourist destinations sa buong bansa,” the DOTr chief added.
(We will focus on the expansion and enhancement of Siargao Airport as an international gateway that shows the growing importance of Siargao Island which is considered one of the top tourist destinations in the country.) — Giselle Ombay/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
