The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is rolling out short and long-term measures aimed at lowering airfares to Siargao, including expanding airport capacity and allowing more flights to the island, transport secretary Giovanni Lopez said Thursday.

Lopez explained that the agency plans to install portable night-rating lights at Siargao Airport within the next few months to enable additional flights, including late-night or “red-eye” trips.

“Kung madaming mga flights papuntang Siargao, we can assure the passengers na bababa ang presyo,” Lopez said in an interview on DZRH’s Dos Por Dos.

Lopez said the government is also studying the extension of the airport’s runway, which he described as constrained by natural features on both ends.

One side is bordered by mangroves classified as protected areas, while the other faces terrain with mountains that pose flight safety risks.

He said coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) confirmed that the mangrove area cannot be used for expansion, prompting authorities to focus on the opposite end of the runway.

“Nandoon na yung mga engineers namin, gagawin namin sa kabilang dulo kung saan may mga mountains, it's just flight risk safety ang paguusapan,” Lopez said.

The DOTr chief added that he plans to personally inspect the area after the President’s State of the Nation Address to determine how much land the government needs to acquire to proceed with the runway extension.

Lopez said the national government will shoulder the runway project, tapping funds for right-of-way acquisition and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines’ corporate operating budget.

He noted that around 500 million pesos had been set aside as early as last year in anticipation of the project, allowing initial works to proceed without waiting for a new General Appropriations Act.

The planned upgrades are part of broader efforts to improve access to Siargao, a popular tourist destination, while making travel more affordable for both local and international visitors.

Watch the full interview below.