Guiuan Airport Upgrade Pushed to Improve Eastern Visayas Connectivity

Posted on July 14, 2026 at 5:04 am

GUIUAN, Eastern Samar — Eastern Samar Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales is seeking the inclusion of Guiuan Airport in the Department of Transportation’s Aviation Transport Infrastructure Program to support the airport’s rehabilitation and improvement.

Gonzales said upgrading the airport would help improve transportation access in Eastern Visayas, support local businesses, and provide more opportunities for tourism and employment in the region.

The DOTr’s aviation infrastructure program funds airport projects such as runway improvements, passenger terminals, taxiways, air traffic control facilities, perimeter fencing, and navigation equipment.

Guiuan Airport has a 2,094-meter runway and is classified by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) as a feeder airport, allowing it to serve as a link between local communities and larger airports.

Gonzales said a developed provincial airport would make Eastern Samar more accessible to visitors, investors, and businesses. He added that better air connectivity could help local producers bring their products to wider markets.

“Airports are engines of economic growth because they connect communities to the rest of the country, creating opportunities for tourism, trade, investment, and employment,” Gonzales said.

He said improving the airport is a long-term investment that could support small businesses, encourage new investments, and provide more livelihood opportunities for residents.

Gonzales also pointed out the airport’s role during emergencies, particularly after Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) struck Eastern Visayas in 2013. Guiuan Airport served as a major location for relief and humanitarian operations during the recovery efforts.

The original Guiuan airfield was built by American forces during World War II and has since remained an important facility for transportation and emergency response in Eastern Samar.

Photo credit: LGU Guiuan