Photo courtesy of CAAP.
QUEZON CITY (PIA) — The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has reported that all airports in the Bicol region serving commercial flights have been operational and able to accommodate rescue and relief flights since Oct. 24.
In its CAAP Area V Report, the agency stated, “October 24, 2024 (Thursday): All CAAP Area V airports serving commercial flights are operational and are able to accommodate rescue and relief flights.”
CAAP’s Area V coverage includes the Bicol International Airport in Daraga, Naga Airport, Virac Airport, Masbate Airport, Daet Airport, Sorsogon Airport, and Bulan Airport.
CAAP highlighted in its report the pre-, during, and post-typhoon actions it has taken.
For the pre-typhoon period, it listed the following actions:
-On Oct. 21, it conducted coordination with all Area V Airports regarding RDRRMC V Memorandum No. 55 s. 2024 on Raising of BLUE Alert Status of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center due to LPA (Pre-Kristine).
-Bicol International Airport (DRP), Naga Airport (WNP), Masbate Airport (MBT), and Virac Airport (VRC) have already prepared and secured their respective airports for the possible onslaught of Typhoon Kristine in accordance with the established SOP on Weather Conditions.
-Airport managers and OICs were advised to continuously monitor the weather situation in their respective areas and share updates, reports, and airport activities with the CAAP Central Office.
During typhoon activities
-On Oct. 22, coordination with the CAAP Operations Center, CAAP PIO, and OCD 5 for the airport flight status was conducted.
-Flights to and from Naga, Masbate, and Virac were already canceled, while 8 flights were able to land and depart Bicol International Airport (DRP). However, the remaining flights for the day were canceled as per an advisory from the airline operators.
-The Bicol International Airport provided supplies (water, coffee, biscuits, and bread) to stranded passengers and employees in the airport.
-On-duty security guards on the airside were advised to temporarily relocate in the passenger terminal building. A total of 6 stranded passengers and 11 airport employees were accommodated.
-CAAP Area V, through its official Facebook page, announced that it will allow usage of airport terminal facilities in the Bicol Region for families and individuals seeking temporary shelter during the onslaught of Typhoon Kristine.
-Naga Airport was able to accommodate 43 individuals composed of 4 families and students from the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) in the airport’s Passenger Terminal Building.
For its post-typhoon activities, it listed:
-On Oct. 23, all airport managers and OICs ensured that all duty personnel were accounted for.
-Inspection of airport facilities—removal of debris in the runway, reinstallation of visual markers, checking of the operability of airfield lighting systems and communications equipment, control tower building, and passenger terminal building—to accommodate commercial and rescue/relief flights.
-At Bicol International Airport, immediate rectification of the damaged ceiling at the airside was conducted.
-Naga Airport provided a free charging station outside the main gate of the airport.
-In Virac Airport, activities conducted post-typhoon include the dismantling of typhoon guards and reinstallation of wind cones and runway markers.
-On Oct. 24, all CAAP Area V airports serving commercial flights are operational and can accommodate rescue and relief flights. (PIA DMD)
