MANILA -- Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon on Thursday asked Siargao Airport to remove the VIP lounge from the airport and expand its terminal for passengers.

"Hindi naman kailangan ito eh," Dizon was heard saying in a video handed out by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

"Grabe ang hirap ng mga kababayan natin at 'yung mga turista dito. Sobrang sikip at mainit! Pinatanggal ko itong VIP lounge. Hindi naman kailangan 'to and magagamit ito para lumawag kahit konti ang space para sa pasahero," he added in a separate statement.

Dizon also asked the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines to remove a redundant x-ray machine to speed up security checks, and to come up with a modular expansion to increase the seating capacity of the passenger terminal building.

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Siargao Island, a popular tourist destination in southern Philippines, is known as the country's surfing capital.

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