By Sandy Vargas

PILI, Camarines Sur — Despite the innovations attained by the City of Naga in public governance which are recognized worldwide, the city and Camarines Sur stand to lose its “unfriendly” airport in 5 years, an airport authority, who requested anonymity, said.

It is noted that the airport which is nestled on the foot of Mt. Isarog here that services the locally-profitable PAL 737 airplane of 140 passengers has a runway stretch of only 1,402 square meters, short of 428 of the standard 1,830 square meters.

The present landing space restricts the normal load of a PAL 737 causing added cargo to be diverted to Legazpi airport. The Naga passenger, in turn, has to wait for the delivery of his extra cargo from Legazpi City which is 99 kms away via the Maharlika highway.

Manila to Naga flights, the airport authority pointed out, require ace pilots who can apply a dexterous brake maneuver to spare the aircraft from plunging into the 40-meter deep quarrying site on the left of the airfield, or on the right towards the national highway, if not on the rice fields up front. Passengers notice the sudden jolt whenever PAL touches down the Naga airport.

“It needs real guts. The airport manager should be praying everytime a plane arrives”, he said.

He disclosed that in about 5 years when only airbuses with some 400-passenger capacity will eventually be used by airlines, the runway would no longer be feasible, hence its imminent closure.

It will be recalled that the last time the runway was expanded was during the time of former Tourism Secretary Eduardo Pilapil who appropriated P10M for the expanded length.

Erstwhile DOTC Secretary Pete Prado, Congressman Rolando Andaya, Sr. and Senator Raul Roco each gave their token share for the airport development. None came during the incumbency of legislators James Jacob and Cho Roco in spite of repeated appeals. Jacob, however, attempted to study a reorientation of the runway which would affect several hectares of productive rice farms on the eastern and southern side of the runway. Such plan was bitterly opposed by the affected farmers.

Airport Manager Ed Ramos, in a separate interview, said there is a need or the local politicos, especially lawmakers Rolando Andaya, Luis Villafuerte, Felix Alfelor and Noli Fuentebella should work together and to stand united in solving the airport’s problems to thwart its immenent closure.

Ramos claimed that the Air Transportation Office (ATO) program on the reorientation of runway to its perpendicular form for correct wind adjustment which is presently pending in Congress should do the job.

He said, “before the 3rd reading in Congress was held in abeyance, the government during the incumbency of Pres. Joseph Estrada was ready to increase payments of P100,000 per hectare to farm owners from the negotiated price of P50,000 for farms affected in the expansion.”

The needed upgrading and rehabilitation could transform the Naga facility into an alternate international, all weather airport to serve the expected growth of tourism, trade and industry in Camarines Sur and adjacent provinces.

He said a plan to build a new airport somewhere in San Fernando or Pamplona may be an expensive, if not inviable, proposition. “Re-orienting the present runway for its needed length and safe expanse will entail relatively lower budget, the extra amount to be expended for other basic facilities such as VIP rooms, comfort rooms, covered shed for well-wishers and other safety equipment,” he said.

Ramos, a seasoned airport manager and an AIM graduate, envied other places in the country with comparatively better airports such as Davao City were economic boom where alternate international or better standard airports were developed.

In the meantime, he said, the pre-departure area should be expanded and a VIP room provided. Construction of typhoon-damaged perimeter fence with parking space and toilets are likewise under implementation. “Work pace is determined by release of funds from the central office through Assistant Secretary Nilo C. Jatico, who takes care of all ATO problems.”

It was also learned that Pili town could generate additional income from business billboards that can be installed along the municipal road leading to the airport.
Seeking information from PAL Manager Efren Badong, who appeared to be initially annoyed when presented the conditions of stakeholders of the only airline using the airport, this reporter was told that PAL assists in improving the present needs of the Naga airport whenever possible.

Citing instances of tourism development, Badong said it is only at his airport that there is no tourism booth to showcase Naga City and Camarines Sur unlike all other airports in the country or abroad that even maintain comprehensive tourism promotion areas.

Ramos, meanwhile, expressed his appreciation to the Bicol Mail for bringing to the attention of its readers and the public the deteriorating conditions obtaining at the airport. He said he has sent a copy of this paper’s issue last week to ATO Undersecretary Jatico for his information and appropriate action.