I got a reply on the articles we wrote about the problems that the people of Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City were having with the operation of the Laguindingan Airport, which is nestled in-between these two cities, wherein we wrote our observations due to our concern about this airport which still has no runway lights and navigation aids for a year already.
“Dear Mr. Avila, This refers to your commentary on CAAP’s actions specially on the transfer of airport operations from Cagayan de Oro (Lumbia) to Laguindingan. We are appreciative of your concerns for the safe and secure transportation thereat. We had transferred the airport operations since the then Lumbia Airport owing to its geographical location; restrictions under IFR conditions are relatively higher than normal.
Weather conditions will show that weather diversions from Lumbia are more than average and it is compounded by the fact that this airport has no more room for further development. These are the reasons why Laguindingan was built. Laguindingan has complete facilities except for the runway lights and navigation aids for IFR operations that are in the process of procurement. It has its own aerodrome control tower, which monitors and directs aircraft operations. Pilots are also guided by the Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) during VFR conditions. The control tower in Lumbia is being used as approach control for the air traffic procedure at Laguindingan, which is different from the tower control in Laguindingan.
The capacity of the Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) was based on the feasibility study undertaken in the early 1990s. However, due to the delay in the implementation of the project, the design capacity of the PTB was already reached upon the opening of the Laguindingan Airport through Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) agreement.
On the safety issue, there is no compromise as there are set limitations on both IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) and VFR (Visual Flight Rules). A safety issue only arises when violations on restrictions are committed. Rest assured, we shall consider your observations, as we have a common goal providing safety to our flying project. Very Truly Yours, By the Authority of the Director General, Capt. John C. Andrews Deputy Director General.â€
Thank you Capt. John Andrews for your quick response to our article on the Laguindingan Airport. Rest assured that my observations are not mine alone, most of them were told to me by my friends from Cagayan de Oro (CDO) notably from Mayor Oscar Moreno. I know the history why a new airport was built in Laguindingan and that this was planned 15 years ago. Alas, it just took the National Government too long to effect this transfer.
At least in your letter you have clarified one basic issue that there is a VFR operation in the Laguindingan Control Tower, while the Lumbia Control Tower is for (IFR) operations. But still, I am not comfortable with the idea that when there is foul weather, it is the Lumbia Control Tower that takes over since pilots cannot use VFR rules via the Laguindingan tower.
As you mentioned, “the runway lights and navigation aids for IFR operations are in the process of procurement.†Hence we would like to know at what stage is this procurement at this time? It has been a year since CAAP moved airport operations from Lumbia to Laguindingan. Surely those runway lights and navigation aids can be easily procured from airport equipment suppliers. So why is this taking CAAP so long? What’s the timetable?
Like it or not, runway lights are essential to night operations and this transfer from Lumbia Airport to Laguindingan Airport has effectively reduced airline operations in Cagayanons and for the people of Iligan City and northern Mindanao. This means loss of income from airline operations and forces the people in Northern Mindanao very limited time to travel.
At this point, may I suggest that lieu of shutting down airport operations in Laguindingan Airport because it cannot handle night operations; why not shift those night flights back to the Lumbia Airport? Surely CAAP can allow this to happen while those runway lights are still unavailable?
As for your statement that the capacity for the Passenger Terminal Building had reached its peak when Laguindingan Airport was opened, it would have been more prudent for CAAP to put the brakes on the opening of this airport with the knowledge that this terminal (especially the pre-departure area) was just too small to handle the influx of passengers coming into the airport. I must tell you that I was visibly disturbed that the Pre-Departure area didn’t even have space for an x-ray machine, which potential terrorists might just take advantage of this huge loophole in the security of Laguindingan Airport. Again, Capt. Andrews, I thank you for your response and we hope that our suggestions would be given its ten centavos worth.
* * *
For email responses to this article, write to vsbobita@mozcom.com or vsbobita@gmail.com. His columns can be accessed through www.philstar.com.