The Civil Aviation Association of the Philippines has reiterated its position that the trimming of trees towards the approach of the runway of the Sibulan Airport is “not enough”.
CAAP officer-in-charge Engr. Bernardo Ablir disclosed that 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 various pilots of the airlines have continued to insist that mere trimming is not enough; the trees should be “cut at rooftop level”.
Ablir explained the presence of fruit trees in the perimeter interferes with the runway landing approach, in violation of the legal threshold of two percent to meet the certified landing-length requirement.
Which means that at 100 meters from the threshold, only structures and natural vegetation up to two meters high are allowed in the area.
The trees at the western part of the airport have been growing in the area even before the airport was built, and through the years, have gradually penetrated the glide path of the runway, forcing the threshold to be displaced farther down the runway.
Local officials have expressed concern on the possibility of downgrading the Sibulan Airport operations if the problem persists.
The Sibulan Airport is classified as Class 1 Principal (major domestic) by the CAAP.
The airport accommodates about 14 commercial flights daily from Manila and Mactan, Cebu.
Meanwhile, another airport looms in the 3rd District of the Province, the process of land acquisition for which has started.
3rd Disctrict Rep. Pryde Henry Teves disclosed that a huge area in Bacong, a southern municipality next to Dumaguete, is being considered by the government.
He said that soil testing is being conducted in the area to check if the planned infrastructure fits the soil quality.
He said it takes about eight years or more to establish an airport, citing the cases of the airports in Tagbilaran City and Silay City. (PNA)
