The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is targeting the completion of Tuguegarao Airport’s rehabilitation by December 2026 as part of the Marcos administration’s push to modernize regional airports and improve connectivity across the country.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the upgrade is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to renovate airports outside Metro Manila to attract more tourists, strengthen local trade, and encourage investment in the provinces.
“The order to us by President Marcos Jr. is that we must enhance regional connectivity through our airports. When the airports are well-maintained and modern, more passengers and tourists will be encouraged to visit the province, which will result in the growth of tourism and business,” Lopez said.
Once the initial rehabilitation is completed by December 2026, Tuguegarao Airport will be able to accommodate 743 passengers, a major increase from its previous capacity of 212 passengers.
Lopez said additional improvements are expected to be finished by September 2027, including the redesign of the passenger terminal building’s interior and exterior. The second phase of the project will add 150 more seats, further increasing the terminal’s capacity.
The transportation chief also directed the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to deploy a new fire truck that meets international standards, as part of efforts to improve airport safety and emergency response capability.
Aside from the expansion and modernization of the passenger terminal building, the rehabilitation project includes night-rating works, the construction of an administration building, and the lengthening of the runway to accommodate larger aircraft.
The DOTr said the project is expected to help transform Tuguegarao Airport into a more efficient gateway for northern Luzon, supporting tourism, commerce, and passenger mobility in Cagayan and nearby provinces.