Daraga: Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez on Tuesday ordered immediate repairs on the Bicol International Airport (DRP) in Daraga, Albay. During his inspection of the airport, Lopez found that part of the ceiling of the DRP’s passenger terminal building (PTB) was damaged by Super Typhoon Uwan, which hit Albay and other areas of the Bicol Region on Sunday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the material to be used in the repair must be consistent and uniform with the stronger material of the PTB’s foundation and must withstand succeeding typhoons. The inspection is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to conduct on-the-ground assessment of transport hubs that were hit by one of the strongest typhoons this year. Lopez emphasized that the President instructed not only to fix but to ensure the sturdiness of the structures of airports, terminals, and transport hubs to withstand subsequent typhoons, ensuring the safety of passengers.

He gave the DRP two weeks to fix the damaged ceiling of the PTB. Following the inspection, he reported that the airport did not sustain much damage and that normal operations have already resumed.

On the other hand, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines is conducting assessments of other airports in the country to ensure the structural integrity of these infrastructures.