The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) have inaugurated the new passenger terminal building (PTB) of the Maasin Airport in Southern Leyte.
The new PTB aims to upgrade the airport from a community one to a standard Principal Class 2 airport so it can meet increasing air travel demands. The new PTB’s capacity can accommodate 150 passengers from the previous 50 passengers.
DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said the Maasin airport project is expected to enhance the city’s economic accessibility.
He said he also plans to further upgrade Maasin Airport by putting an air-conditioning system at the terminal, and extending the length of the runway from the current 1.3 kilometers (km) to 1.8 km.
Maasin Airport, one of the community airports under the CAAP National Airport System, is the only airport serving the region of Southern Leyte.
DOTr said that in 2013 during the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda, Maasin Airport served as a backup entry point for relief goods and medicine deliveries, proving its capability and potential to serve as an alternate airport to Tacloban City’s Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport.
A budding city discovering its potentials, Maasin City has many attractions including the triple eco-treat of Cagnituan that features a huge subterranean cave, a cool waterfall, and a refreshing lagoon; an 18th century church which is a pilgrimage site; and proximity to neighboring towns known for their dive sites.
