P17M Expansion building in Butuan Airport soon to open to public
BUTUAN CITY -- The
expanded terminal building in Butuan Airport will open soon to the public, the
Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Caraga on Wednesday (January
11) confirmed.
The P17-million
airport infrastructure will widen the airport capacity and house one more
airbus, CAAP Caraga Area Manager Evangeline F. Daba said.
"We also have the newly expanded terminal building that can accommodate
three airbuses. Currently, we have the old building, which can accommodate two
airbuses already plus the additional one,” the official added.
This makes the total
airport capacity to 180 passengers.
According to Daba, the
expansion is part of the programs the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has
implemented under then-President Rodrigo Duterte’s “Build, Build, Build” flagship
program which also focused on modernizing airports and seaports all over the
country.
An ocular inspection
is slated this month before the turnover and soft opening. Airport management
is yet to identify additional airport facilities that can fit into the
40-square-meter terminal building for added convenience to the flying public.
Butuan Airport first
marked its modernization efforts with the inauguration of the Malasakit Hall in
2021, a one-stop-shop transient spot furnished with a clinic, childcare room,
non-sectarian praying room, lounge, and food and souvenir stores.
Currently they are
working on building a new control tower in partnership with the Local
Government Unit of Butuan.
The modernization also
came with heightened security measures, with more security personnel manning
the airport, as well as tighter implementation of airport protocols. To the
flying passengers, Daba quipped, “CAAP is to serve, to give comfort to the
passenger. We are not also compromising the safety, we also have the security
kaya I hope they understand the screening process and dapat maaga silang
dumating. I hope the public will understand that.” (DMNR/PIA-Caraga)
