Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez has ordered the immediate and resilient rehabilitation of the Baler Airport and Dingalan Port in Aurora Province, following the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure the rapid and robust return of critical transport hubs to normal operations after Typhoon Uwan.
The President’s directive emphasizes not just immediate repair, but the long-term goal of disaster-proofing critical infrastructure in typhoon-prone regions.
“This province of Aurora is hit by typhoons every year. We must ensure that the airport can accommodate larger aircraft for emergency relief and medical operations when there is a typhoon, so we will lengthen and widen the runway of the Baler Airport,” said Acting Secretary Lopez during his visit.
Baler Airport: Building Capacity for Disaster Response
Acting Secretary Lopez outlined a comprehensive improvement plan for Baler Airport, to be overseen by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). The directive includes:
- Lengthening and widening the main runway to accommodate larger emergency and relief aircraft.
- The construction of a new, resilient Passenger Terminal Building (PTB).
- The establishment of new police barracks and the renovation of other essential facilities.
The construction of the new Baler Airport PTB is tentatively scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2026, with an expected completion timeline in 2027, ensuring a sustainable, disaster-resilient facility for the province. The Baler Airport is currently operating normally.
Dingalan Port: Urgent Restoration for Tourism and Commerce
Concurrently, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is spearheading the immediate recovery of Dingalan Port. PPA General Manager Jay Santiago has deployed personnel to conduct immediate clean-up and repair works on the port’s critical components, including the Passenger Terminal Building, port deck, and seawall.
The port suffered severe damage due, in part, to strong storm surges, which partially covered the PTB structure with large rocks and sand.
“The damage to the port is really bad, and the storm surge is too strong. We need to fix it now because it is used by many tourists here in Baler,” said PPA GM Santiago, emphasizing the port’s importance to the local economy and tourism sector.
Port operations at Dingalan Port are temporarily suspended as immediate repairs are underway to restore full service as quickly as possible.
Acting Secretary Lopez was accompanied by Transportation Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Jim Sydiongco, Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor, CAAP Director General Raul Del Rosario, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Santiago, and CAAP Deputy Director General Danjun Lucas.
