Baler Airport eyes climate resiliency

In light of the recent damage caused by Super Typhoon Uwan, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the immediate restoration of Aurora’s transport hubs and directed that Baler Airport be made more climate-resilient.

During his visit to the province, Marcos said the expansion of Baler Airport aims to strengthen disaster response and ensure more reliable operations during calamities, noting that Aurora is among the hardest hit by storms originating from the Pacific Ocean.

The directive came after Super Typhoon Uwan battered the province and damaged several transport hubs, resulting in mobility disruptions and delays in the delivery of relief and essential services.

Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the President ordered the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to extend and widen Baler Airport’s runway to accommodate larger aircraft for relief, medical, and emergency missions in the typhoon-prone province.

“Taun-taon dinaraanan ng bagyo itong probinsya ng Aurora. Dapat masiguro natin na kayang ma-accommodate ng airport ang mga mas malalaking eroplano para sa emergency relief at medical operations kapag may bagyo. Kaya hahabaan at lalaparan natin ‘yung runway ng Baler Airport,” Lopez added.

The DOTr will also construct a new Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) for Baler Airport, with work set to begin in the first quarter of 2026 and targeted for completion in 2027. The agency will likewise establish police barracks and upgrade other airport facilities to improve passenger flow and strengthen capabilities for emergency logistics.

Meanwhile, Philippine Ports Authority General Manager Jay Santiago said Dingalan Port will undergo cleanup operations and a structural assessment of its PTB, port deck, and seawall to minimize operational downtime.

“Matindi talaga ‘yung sira ng puerto.. masyadong malakas ‘yung storm surge. Kailangan mai-ayos na natin ito dahil ginagamit ito ng maraming turista dito sa Baler,” Santiago said.

Dingalan Port remains temporarily non-operational, while Baler Airport continues normal operations.

The ongoing and planned works aim to bolster Aurora’s capacity to support relief mobilization, economic activity, and tourism, especially during frequent weather disturbances. As agencies carry out the President’s directive, the government affirmed its commitment to restoring transport operations quickly while preparing the province for sustainable, climate-resilient development.