Dismantle Siargao airport VIP lounge to expand seating capacity - Dizon

Metro Manila, Philippines - Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has ordered the dismantling of the lounge for very important persons (VIPs) at Siargao airport in Surigao del Norte to expand the seating capacity for travelers.

In a chance interview on Thursday, March 27, Dizon said he felt sorry for passengers upon seeing their situation when he inspected the local gateway at the weekend.

He said he observed a number of unnecessary features, including the unused VIP lounge.

“Napakaliit, siksikan…medyo kinainis ko ng kaunti, may nakita akong VIP lounge. So immediately inutusan ko ang ating CAAP na tanggalin ang VIP lounge kasi wala namang gumagamit nun; ibigay na lang natin sa pasahero,” he said.

[Translation: The airport was very cramped and crowded...I got a bit annoyed when I saw a VIP lounge. So I immediately instructed our CAAP (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines) to remove the VIP lounge since no one was using it, and just give it to the passengers.]

Dizon said he ordered the removal of a redundant X-ray machine to free up space for passengers.

The transportation chief said the government aims to come up with a “modular expansion plan” for the airport to increase its 200-seating capacity to 700 in four to six months.

“Modular, meaning, hindi ito traditional na building. Pero modular na i-expand natin. Meron tayong i-knock down na wall doon. Magtatayo ng kahit papaano magtatayo ng maganda-ganda namang airconditioned area at i-extend natin ang terminal,” he said.

[Translation: Modular means it's not a traditional building. But a modular one that we can expand. We will knock down a wall there and build a decent air-conditioned area, and then extend the terminal.]