By Dexter Tilo
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is targeting a November 7 opening of the Bicol International Airport (BIA) for international flights, according to an official from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
In an interview with CAAP chief of staff Danjun Lucas over at DZRH’s Commuter Corner, he admitted that DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade promised that the newly opened airport will start accepting international aircraft by that date.
"Ang sinasabi po natin, ang tagubilin ni Sec. Art - ang pangako by November 7, pwede nang tumanggap ng international at regional flights," he told DZRH.
(What we’re saying, the instructions of Sec. Art, the promise is by November 7, we will welcome international and regional flights.)
However, this would still depend on how airlines are commercially prepared for the plan.
"'Yan po ay nakadepende sa manipestasyon ng ating mga airlines kung sila po ay commercially handa na po pero nakikipagpulong na po at nakikipag-usap na po tayo sa kanila," Lucas said.
(This would depend on the manifestation of airlines on how they are commercially prepared. But we are holding talks with them now.)
The statement comes after the BIA in Daraga, Albay, was inaugurated on October 7 by President Rodrigo Duterte, Tugade, local government officials, and other CAAP executives.
According to Lucas, the new international airport has the "most scenic gateway" for its picturesque location made beautiful by the sight of the Mayon Volcano.
The airport also has a nearly 2,500-meter runway, a 3,000 passenger capacity, as well as a seven-story tower to improve the safety of the passengers, said Lucas, an improvement from the Legazpi Airport.
It also boasts a contactless self-service check-in - the first for a CAAP airport and the second one across the Philippines after Clark International Airport - which can improve transactions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Hindi mo na kailangang pumunta sa counter. Isa-scan mo na lang ang iyong QR code dun sa aming mga common use self-service check-in kiosk," explained Lucas.
(No need to head to the counter. You can just scan your QR code over our common use self-service check-in kiosk.)
"Wala nang hawak, contactless, faceless. Tulong na rin po 'yan ng DOTr," added Lucas. "Wala na pong face-to-face. Mababawasan po ang face-to-face interaction sa ating mga paliparan."
(No touching, contactless, faceless. This is DOTr’s form of help. No more face to face. Face-to-face interactions are reduced in our airport.)
The project reportedly took more than a decade to build and cost five billion pesos, with expenses still incurring as expansions and further modernization on navigation equipment are expected, according to Lucas.
"Lahat po ng ating communication and navigation equipment para po sa paghahanda para gawin itong ligtas, maayos, secure, at ready for international operations. Lahat po yan ay pinaghahandaan natin," he said. "Marami po tayong plano, marami pa po tayong gagawin dito sa Bicol International Airport."
(All of our communication and navigation equipment for the preparation to make the airport safe, secure, and ready for international operations. We are preparing for all of this. We have more plans, we have more things to do here at Bicol International Airport.)
The airport replaces the Legazpi Airport, which was shuttered following the inauguration of BIA. Lucas attributed its closure to safety reasons.
"Ang Legazpi Airport po hindi po natin maaring ituloy at sabay na i-operate kasabay ang Bicol International Airport," said Lucas. "Masyado pong malapit ang airspace po hindi po pwedeng sabay dun. Meron po tayong mga regulations at safety considerations."
(We can’t continue operating Legazpi Airport and Bicol International Airport. The airspaces are too close so we can’t do it together. We have regulations and safety considerations.)
The CAAP chief of staff said they are looking into what could be done for the Legazpi Airport following its closure.
"Pag-aaralan natin kung anong mas makabubuti sa lokal na pamahalaan, sa provincial government. Makikipag-ugnayan po tayo diyan with NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority) and other offices po ng pamahalaan," he said.
(We will look into what is good for the local government and provincial government. We will collaborate with NEDA and other government offices.)
