Guiuan: The Guiuan Airport in Eastern Samar must be included in the Department of Transportation's Aviation Transport Infrastructure Program, which secures funding for the modernization and upgrading of airports nationwide.
According to Philippines News Agency, Eastern Samar Lone District Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales expressed his intention to advocate for the airport's inclusion as an additional gateway to Eastern Visayas. He emphasized that this development would enhance connectivity, stimulate economic growth, and generate more employment opportunities across the region.
The annual Aviation Transport Infrastructure Program finances various aspects of airport infrastructure, including the construction, rehabilitation, and improvement of runways, taxiways, passenger terminals, air traffic control towers, perimeter fences, and navigational equipment such as night-landing systems.
Gonzales highlighted that Guiuan Airport, with its 2,094-meter runway, is classified as a feeder airport by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. This classification allows it to channel passengers and cargo from local communities to major airports, playing a crucial role in the regional transport network.
"Airports are engines of economic growth because they connect communities to the rest of the country, creating opportunities for tourism, trade, investment, and employment," Gonzales stated. He noted that a modern and fully operational provincial airport could attract more visitors, support micro, small, and medium enterprises, encourage new businesses, and boost the competitiveness of the local economy.
He further emphasized that developing provincial airports is a long-term investment that enhances regional connectivity and opens new markets for local producers. "Thriving airports also create jobs and give provinces like Eastern Samar a stronger foundation for sustained economic growth and improved household incomes," he added.
The Guiuan Airport has historical significance as it played a pivotal role in disaster response following the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, serving as Samar Island's main hub for relief and humanitarian operations. The original airfield was constructed by American forces during World War II.
