PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte, together with Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade, led the inauguration of the upgraded Port of Dumaguete and the newly-developed Dumaguete Airport in Negros Oriental, Thursday morning
Tugade said the two transport infrastructure projects aim to further enhance mobility and connectivity in the province, as a continuing fulfillment of Duterte’s aspiration to provide a comfortable and convenient life to Filipinos.
“Mahal ng ating Pangulo ang Dumaguete – the ‘City of the Gentle People.’ Nakita n’yo, dalawang proyekto [ang mayroon] tayo dito,” said Tugade.
Duterte commended Tugade’s diligence and determination that led to the back-to-back inauguration of the transport infrastructure projects in Dumaguete City, as well as the implementation of various development projects throughout the country that seek to address the need to spur growth in the regions.
“His hard work is accompanied by his intellect. Lahat dito, airports pati ports natin magaganda sa panahon ngayon. He [Secretary Tugade] was able to improve. Cebu has a splendid airport, and other ports, maliit o malaki, napaganda niya. I’m just saying na ganoon ka-talented ang taong ito,” Duterte said during his speech at the Dumaguete Port event.
The improvements include the re-blocking of the apron, construction of two taxiways, expansion of the existing Passenger Terminal Building (PTB), runway asphalt overlay and shoulder grade correction, and the expansion of the CAAP Administrative Building.
Meanwhile, improvements at the airport, which serves the province of Negros Oriental and the neighboring Siquijor island, have upgraded the airport’s capability to accommodate heavier aircraft and increased the terminal’s passenger capacity from 330 to 450.
“From a previous floor area of 1,152 square meters, the Passenger Terminal Building now has an expanded size of 1,842 square meters. Under the Duterte administration, Dumaguete Airport also became capable of accommodating night-time flights,” CAAP Director General Jim Sydiongco said.
