Why the engagement was initiated
Following earlier communication with the Secretary of the Department of Transportation,
PH Haiyan Advocacy Inc. convened a strategic meeting with key stakeholders, including the
DOTr VIII Area Manager, CAAP VIII Area Manager, and the project contractor overseeing the
ongoing development of Tacloban Airport. The engagement was initiated to align perspectives
on the airportβs direction, particularly in relation to its landscaping and environmental design.
While initially framed as a discussion on planting and landscaping, the conversation quickly
evolved into a broader dialogue on long-term vision, identity, and the role of the airport as
a defining symbol of Taclobanβs progress.
What PH Haiyan conveyed
During the meeting, PH Haiyan delivered a clear and unified message: Tacloban Airport must go
beyond functional infrastructure. It must stand as a landmark that reflects the pride, resilience,
and aspirations of the people it represents.
- The airport must not be ordinaryβit should set a new standard for regional gateways.
- It must serve as a source of pride for Taclobanons and the broader Eastern Visayas community.
- It should embody a distinct identityβsomething no other airport in the Philippines currently offers.
- The development should integrate sustainability and meaningful landscape design as core elements, not afterthoughts.
The vision presented emphasized the transformation of Tacloban Airport into a gateway that
authentically represents the regionβs characterβresilient, forward-looking, and deeply rooted
in its cultural and environmental identity.
Why this matters
The discussion marked a significant shift from viewing airport development as a purely technical
project to recognizing it as a strategic opportunity for place-making. Airports serve as first
impressions, and for Tacloban, this gateway carries the responsibility of telling a story of
recovery, growth, and transformation.
By advocating for a design that integrates sustainability, identity, and innovation, PH Haiyan
reinforces the importance of infrastructure that is not only functional but also meaningful and
future-oriented.
PH Haiyanβs role and commitment
The engagement opened opportunities for PH Haiyan Advocacy Inc. to contribute more actively to
the airportβs landscaping and environmental planning. This includes potential involvement in
shaping planting programs that align with ecological sustainability and regional identity.
The organization continues to stand for more than advocacyβit advances action, collaboration,
and transformative development initiatives that bridge public, private, and community sectors.
What comes next
Moving forward, PH Haiyan will continue its coordination with relevant agencies and project
stakeholders to ensure that the vision articulated during the meeting translates into concrete
outcomes. Future developments will focus on refining the airportβs environmental design and
strengthening its role as a flagship gateway for Eastern Visayas.
This initiative represents a continuing journeyβfrom survival to sustainability, from rebuilding
to reimagining, and from a standard infrastructure project to a Green Gateway that reflects the
unique identity of Tacloban.
