I have heard about the emerging Tacloban Airport Development Project being praised highly. But those who say these things do not know the drama behind its construction. It is always a battle of the positive and the negative like a negative slippage for Phase I of the project, but positives on the other three components being implemented by CAAP and the DPWH.
In these types of accomplishments, one would ask; why did the government not make all these positive? If this happened, it would not be in its present position where it is delayed at least two years. If the work had been done as planned, the airport could have already been international at the start of last year.
Another positive aspect is the width and length of the airport terminal building. It is so wide. The negative? It is so wide that it will be difficult to put the finishing touches on time for the announced early 2026 opening.
I learned from my late father who was in the construction business that putting the finishing touches is the most expensive and time-consuming part of constructing a building. This one is not going to be an exception. I will not even be surprised if it will take another two and not one, year more, to finish the passenger terminal building. It could be 2027, not the second quarter of 2026 as announced by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
Even now, the Implementing Agencies are already talking about a partial opening for domestic flights only.
If they do, it is going to be an ugly site, and many sections of the project will still be under construction. Forcing the opening when the facility is not yet ready could be disastrous for both the building and the people using it.
To me, such a rush is not advisable. The cladding and tiles can peel off, parts of the ceiling could fall (like what happened at the second Mactan Airport building eleven years ago), and equipment might not function properly, causing delays and inconvenience.
In systems theory there is an applicable term that goes – if anything can go wrong, it will.
I agree, especially if it is as complex as the Tacloban Airport Development Project.
Another point of possible contradiction between negatives and positives is the voluminous traffic that can cause heavy traffic and delay passenger transit. A solution is needed this early because infrastructure projects take a long time from planning to implementation.
Thinking about these opposites is a good way to make the airport more valuable to the community. There is time to work on them. This can have the effect of preventing accidents and making the airport experience as comfortable as it can be.
We must look at the other side of this airport project, to make it achieve its objectives.
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #OpinYonNews #OpinYonColumn #IAmBack