Baler: Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez has mandated the immediate repair and expansion of Baler Airport to enhance the transportation of relief goods and medical equipment to regions affected by Super Typhoon Uwan, internationally known as Fung-wong. During an inspection of the airport in Aurora, Lopez stated that the infrastructure improvements align with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to promptly resume operations at transport hubs.
According to Philippines News Agency, Lopez emphasized the need for the airport to accommodate bigger airplanes for emergency relief and medical operations due to the annual typhoon occurrences in Aurora province. He instructed the repair of the airport’s damaged passenger terminal building and the extension and widening of its runway. Additionally, Lopez ordered the construction of a police barracks and the repair of other facilities within Baler Airport. The repair and construction projects are scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2026, with completion expected by 2027.
During the inspection, Lopez was joined by key officials including Transportation Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Jim Sydiongco, Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Raul Del Rosario, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Santiago, and CAAP Deputy Director General Danjun Lucas. Lopez also assessed the condition of Dingalan Airport in Baler, noting the damage it sustained from Typhoon Uwan.
In response to the situation at Dingalan Port, Santiago ordered the immediate cleanup and repair of the port’s passenger terminal building, port deck, and sea wall to facilitate the resumption of regular operations. The port suffered significant damage from a strong storm surge, which filled half of its passenger terminal building with large rocks and sand. Santiago highlighted the urgency of these repairs due to the port’s frequent use by tourists visiting Baler.
