Safety and security first on closing of airport runway to public – Mayor

“We cannot compromise safety and security.”

This was the answer of Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong to the residents living near the Loakan Airport who complained about the closure of the runway to human and vehicular traffic.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) disallowed human and vehicular traffic across the runway for safety reasons with the resumption of commercial flights by the Philippine Airlines beginning December 16 last year.

The mayor asked for understanding from the affected residents as he explained that CAAP will be the decision-maker when it comes to ensuring the safe and secure operations of the airport.

“Maraming nagpapa-upa jan malapit sa airport, paano kung isa jan terorista pala matapos ay pagbabarilin yung eroplano,” the mayor explained from his military background point of view.

He said this is the reason that the CAAP needs to maintain the 75 meters bufferzone.

Another issue he said is that vehicles crossing the airstrip may bring in foreign objects that may compromise the tires of the plane which may cause an accident.

Meanwhile, the Baguio City Police Office, City Tourism Office and the Traffic and Transportation Management Division of the City Engineering Office is planning and adjusting transportation schemes to ensure smooth flow of traffic to and from the Loakan Airport including adjoining roads and streets.

PAL is now servicing direct commercial flights between Baguio and Cebu City four times a week with the following schedule:

*PR 2230 Cebu-Baguio – every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday- departing Mactan Cebu Airport at 08:50 AM, arriving at Baguio Loakan Airport at 10:50 AM; and,*PR 2231 Baguio-Cebu – every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday – departing at Baguio at 11:10 AM, arriving in Cebu at 01:00 PM – JMPS