The government has inaugurated the newly rehabilitated Marinduque Airport which now features new passenger terminal building and extended runway.
The P9-million rehabilitation of the passenger terminal building, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, was implemented in April 2016 and was completed on March 4.
CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said the project improved the 560 sqm building by dropping the height of its ceiling, installing air conditioning units and X-ray machines, and replacing its accordion walls with glass walls, making it more convenient, safer, and more secure, unlike its previous design. The facility is now also equipped with CCTV cameras.
On Nov. 9, 2018, the concreting project of the airport’s runway was also completed.
Implemented by CAAP, the P12.7 million runway extension project increased its usable length to 1,533 meters of concrete from the previously 1,400 meters asphalt runway. The concreting enabled the airport to accommodate to turbo prop aircraft such as ATR and Q400.
The airport’s PTB rehabilitation and runway extension completion made the launching of new flights to the airport possible as just last April 1, 2019, Cebu Pacific subsidiary Cebgo commenced its Marinduque-Manila-Marinduque flights using its brand new 78-seater ATR aircraft.
The new flights, flying three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday), only takes an hour compared to an 8-hour land and ferry trip to the island. The airport last had regular commercial flights on May 2013.
The island province, which is home to one of the country’s oldest religious festivals, the Moriones Festival, is also famous for its old churches (Boac Cathedral and Sta. Cruz Church), tranquil beaches, rock formations, and explorable caves. The government recognizes that developing an airport such as that of Marinduque’s will provide a boost to the province’s trade, economy, and tourism.
The inauguration held last Thursday was attended by government officials led by Secretary Arthur Tugade.
Transportation undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Capt. Manuel Antonio Tamayo, Assistant Secretary for Communications Goddes Hope Libiran, Department of Tourism Assistant Secretary for Mindanao and Palawan Myra Paz Abubakar, Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Eddie Monreal, and CAAP Deputy Director General for Administration MGen. Ricardo Banayat also graced the event.