BAGUIO CITY – The Cordillera Regional Development Council (RDC-CAR approved a resolution reiterating the region’s policy-making body’s request for the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to conduct an aeronautic study for the Baguio Loakan airport to ascertain its viability for commercial operations once fully upgraded.
The RDC-CAR resolution cited that during the first quarter infrastructure committee meeting conducted on March 28, 2017, it was agreed that an aeronautic study be requested for the Loakan airport as it is a requisite for any plans to upgrade let down procedures by flight procedure designers, and provide critical information to effectively regulate man-made obstacles to air navigation for the airport to achieve a satisfactory level of safety and security.
Despite repeated appeals for the modernization of the Loakan airport, the RDC-CAR pointed out it was not included in the priority aerodromes to be rehabilitated by the previous and present administrations, thus, the need to reiterate the said concern to the CAAP and the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC).
Earlier, the RDC-CAR passed Resolution No. 33, series of 2013 which adopted the study on advancing the Baguio airport modernization program and appealing to the DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya and CAAP Director-General William K. Hotchkiss III to support the full rehabilitation and modernization of the airport facilities.
Further, the RDC-CAR Executive Committee also approved Resolution No. 45, series of 2013 that earnestly requested DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya the inclusion of the Baguio airport modernization program, phase I, in the 2015 DOTC infrastructure program.
The newly approved resolution stated a study commissioned by the RDC-CAR in 20112 on the modernization of the Loakan airport recommended several projects for the rehabilitation and modernization of the facility, namely, site acquisition and construction of access road at runway 09, aeronautical survey, airfield lighting system, perimeter fencing and runway widening.
The RDC-CAR recognizes the Loakan airport as a vital facility for the Cordillera Administrative Region which is the only landlocked region in the country as it will be the primary air transport facility that will contribute in spurring local economic growth regionwide.
It will be recalled that the Baguio airport, had been serving commercial flights since 1941 but stopped in 2011 mainly because of low passenger demand and high plane fares, received minimal support for its maintenance and the improvement of the facilities.
Copies of the approved resolution will be forwarded to the new leadership of the DOTC, CAAP and local officials of Baguio City for their information, guidance, and further needed action.
By Dexter A. See
