Tugade vows to finish Sangley Airport construction by September

MANILA, Philippines — Transportation Chief Arthur Tugade said Wednesday that the construction of Sangley Airport in Cavite will be finished by September or two months ahead of the deadline set by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Tugade said that the asphalt overlay for the runway is already complete, the passenger terminal building is now 40 percent done, the drainage system is at least 70 percent finished while the hangars were around 30 percent complete.

“Ako ay naniniwala na dahil sa estado ng construction ngayon, magiging operational tayo before the end of this year, sa kagustuhan ng Pangulo (I believe that we will be operational by the end of the year as the President wanted),” Tugade said briefly after the signing of the pledge to develop Sangley Airport in Pasay City.

“Sa tingin niyo, ano deadline ko? September. Pinapa-advance ko (What do you think is the deadline? September? I’m pushing to advance it),” he added.

The Pledge of Commitment signifies the support and cooperation of five Philippine-based airline operators to help decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) through improved on-time performance of flights, the utilization of Sangley Airport for general aviation and turboprop operations, and support for initiatives to enhance passenger convenience.

The five airline operators — Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, AirAsia, PAL Express, and CebGo — pledged support to the initiative.

In a press briefing early this month, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte wants Sangley Airport to be operational by November.

READ: Duterte wants Sangley Airport operational by November

With this, Tugade ordered a 24/7 work to build Sangley Airport to comply with the deadline set by the President. (Editor: Eden Estopace)

READ: Tugade orders: Hire more workers to finish Sangley airport