The Civil Aviation Association of the Philippines has reiterated its position that trimming of trees at the approach of the runway of the Dumaguete Airport is not enough, due to the danger it poses to lives and properties.

CAAP officer-in-charge Bernardo E.F. Ablir said more than 20 fruit trees planted and grown by residents living at the western portion of the runway have been trimmed only this October upon the request of airline companies but the pilots insisted the trees should be cut at roof top level.

Ablir said the presence of the fruit trees interferes with the runway landing approach in violation of the legal threshold which is two percent to meet the certified landing-length requirement, which means that 100 meters from the threshold, only two meters in height of structures are allowed to rise.

But the trees at the western part of the Dumaguete airport have been growing since the airport was built and have gradually penetrated the glide path of the runway forcing the threshold to be displaced farther down the runway as the years went by.

One of the private owners identified in the area is a certain Alexander Amor Jr.

Local officials have expressed concern over the possibility of downgrading the Dumaguete Airport operations if the problem persists. This will result in a negative impact on the booming economy of the province which will be under the Negros Island Region.

The Dumaguete airport has about 14 commercial flights daily from Manila to Dumaguete and to Cebu City that has greatly improved the business climate in the city and the province.

Meanwhile, another airport looms in the 3rd district of the province, the process of land acquisition of which has started.

Rep. Pryde Henry Teves (Neg Or., 3rd District) said a huge area in Bacong, a town next to Dumaguete, is being considered by the government.

He said that soil testing being conducted in the area is not to check whether the project is feasible or not, but to make sure the planned infrastructure fits the soil quality.

Normally, it will take eight years or more to establish an airport from the time the property is bought to the actual construction and the finishing, Teves said, citing the case of Tagbilaran City, Silay City, and other airports in the country.*JG

back to top