The construction for the expansion of Siargao Airport’s passenger terminal building (PTB) is set to begin on Aug. 8, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said on Tuesday.

In a statement, Dizon said the expansion project is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to enhance the travel experience and safety of local and foreign tourists in one of the country’s top tourism destinations.

Once completed, the expansion project is expected to ease congestion and enhance comfort for tourists.

“Kawawa yung mga turista natin —yung domestic foreign tourists natin kaya inatasan tayo ng Pangulo na paginhawain ‘yung experience ng mga local and foreign tourists natin sa Siargao dahil napaka-importante nitong tourist destination na ito (I feel sorry for our domestic tourists —that’s why the President ordered us to improve the experience of local and foreign tourists in Siargao because it’s a very important destination),” he said.

The expanded and modernized Siargao Airport PTB will be able to accommodate 750 passengers daily, from the previous maximum capacity of 200 passengers.

The project is part of the bundled unsolicited proposal for the modernization and expansion of Davao and Bicol Airports submitted by the JG Summit and Filinvest Groups under a public-private partnership (PPP) deal.

DOTR PHOTO