MANILA — The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) will inaugurate the renovated Virac Airport on Friday, June 1.
Located in the capital city of Catanduanes province, Virac Airport is the only airport serving the island province.
The growing number of passengers and cargo that fly in and out of Catanduanes had called for the renovation, said Froilan Deliso, Virac Airport’s officer in charge, in a conversation with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Monday evening.
Deliso said the pre-departure sections on the ground and second floors were upgraded to accommodate 300 passengers, from 100 passengers before.
The arrival area on the ground floor was also improved, he added.
The rehabilitation project was awarded to DSB Construction and Supply in November 2015 for more than PHP35 million.
“At present, the runway is also undergoing expansion,” Deliso told PNA.
He said that Virac Airport, operated by CAAP, is classified as Principal Class 2.
The project started in January 2016, and was targeted for completion in July 2016. However, during the implementation stage, the project was suspended in May 2016 due to unavoidable changes in works, and therefore, costs.
“(It was suspended) due to Variation Order number 1 amounting to PHP3.5 million that covered the retrofitting works of structural members of the existing building to provide stability of structure, since it was built sometime in 1963,” he explained.
Deliso said the project resumed in October 2016, and the revised contract then was PHP39.4 million with an additional contract time of 60 calendar days.
The project was again delayed, when typhoon “Nina” hit Catanduanes in December 2016. The typhoon caused severe damages to Virac Airport’s facilities.
The project was finally completed on May 14, 2018, Deliso said.
Virac airport started its operations in 1946 as a “feeder airport” and occupies a total land area of 18.55 hectares.
The first commercial flight used the Virac Airport in 1947, while the first Airbus flight to Virac landed the airport in 2013, Deliso said. (Ma. Cristina Arayata/PNA)
