Airport conducts emergency drill

CEBU, Philippines - A drill called “Crash and Rescue Exercise” held at Runway 22 of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport yesterday was a demonstration of readiness and cooperation among the airport’s Rescue and Firefighting Division, airport police, medical services division, the PNP Aviation Security Group, and airlines’ representatives.

It showed how airport groups and government agencies respond during emergency cases involving aircraft and passengers.

Mactan airport is required to conduct the exercise every two years.

Different public and private hospitals, emergency rescue units, and other national government agencies joined the drill.

Police Superintendent Ritchie Posadas, acting chief of the PNP Aviation Security Group based at Mactan Airport described the presentation a big success.

Mactan Airport police chief Melvin Gayutin, on the other hand, said he was happy with the result of the exercise.

The setting created for the drill was a passenger plane with 75 passengers and crew that crash lands.

Close to 100 personnel from various agencies showed how to rescue passengers from a site with a burning fuselage.

MCIAA assistant general manager Romeo Bersonda said the “emergency drill” showed the capability of the airport and government agencies. - THE FREEMAN