Tacloban City is not yet perfect. It is not yet the city we fully aspire it to be. But what is undeniable is this: Tacloban possesses a rare combination of natural setting, strategic location, and human resilience—assets that, if guided by clear vision and coordinated leadership, can shape a city that is not only functional, but dignified, inclusive, and future-ready. The question before us is not whether Tacloban is already beautiful, but whether we are prepared to consciously design the city it can still become.
The Airport as the First Story a City Tells
An airport is more than an infrastructure project. It is the first experience of a city for those who arrive—and the final memory for those who leave. The clarity of movement, the comfort of waiting areas, the safety of walkways, and the quality of surrounding spaces all communicate something fundamental: how a city values people.
Tacloban DZR Airport, located at the edge of Barangay San Jose, occupies a uniquely privileged setting. Upon arrival or departure, travelers are greeted by Cancabato Bay on one side, the open sea on another, and a backdrop of mountains beyond—a landscape few cities are fortunate to have. The challenge, therefore, is not simply airport expansion or modernization. It is this: how can the airport serve as a bridge—connecting Tacloban’s natural beauty to the lived experience of the city itself?
Landscaping as Protection, Not Decoration
In the era of climate change, landscaping is no longer an aesthetic afterthought. Thoughtful landscape design provides protection from extreme heat, support for drainage and flood mitigation, shade and comfort for passengers and pedestrians, and a sense of dignity in public space. These elements are not luxuries. They are essential indicators of a city’s readiness for the future.
It is important to emphasize that this advocacy did not originate on social media. It is grounded in formal, documented engagement with government institutions.
17 October 2025
PH Haiyan Advocacy formally submitted a written letter to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) addressing concerns and recommendations related to the airport access road, landscaping, and the frontage of Tacloban DZR Airport.
December 2025
Following this submission, PH Haiyan Advocacy received a response and engaged in formal dialogue with Undersecretary Jim Sydiongco of the DOTr, where these matters were discussed constructively and in good faith.
27 January 2026
As a proper follow-through to the discussions, PH Haiyan Advocacy submitted a second formal letter, further clarifying recommendations and emphasizing the importance of inter-agency coordination.
Not a Complaint — But an Open Invitation
This bears repeating: This is not a complaint. This is not an exercise in blame. It is an open, respectful invitation to engage in dialogue on urban and landscape design, climate adaptation, and the role of Tacloban DZR Airport as a symbol of a climate-resilient city.
In this spirit, PH Haiyan Advocacy respectfully calls for strengthened coordination among the following government agencies:
- Department of Transportation (DOTr)
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
- Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
- Department of Tourism (DOT)
- Office of Civil Defense (OCD)
- Climate Change Commission (CCC)
Not to assign fault—but to align leadership, expertise, and responsibility.
The Airport Is Not Just a Project — It Is a Beginning
Tacloban DZR Airport is more than a transport facility. It is a statement of direction. A reflection of priorities. A starting point for broader urban transformation.
Tacloban may not yet be as beautiful as it can be—but this is what it is capable of becoming. And if there is one place where this transformation should begin, it is here—at Tacloban DZR Airport.
This is our shared space. Our shared responsibility. And a future worth building—together.
