Planes landing or taking off from the Dumaguete airport have practically been unheard of in the past–except probably in only two instances, both by military aircraft.
The first time was on March 29, 1975 when a Fairchild C-123K plane piloted by then-Lt. Eugene Malahay, a Dumagueteno, landed on an emergency mission, aided by the headlights of cars lined up along the runway.
The second time was done in 2002 in absolute darkness — by a U.S. military transport plane using night vision equipment, evacuating their troops who had been here for weeks on a mission to retrieve a crashed Chinook helicopter and its 10 crewmen.
Now, 42 years after that first flight, the Dumaguete-Sibulan airport is ready to do night take offs everyday.
Mark Michael Anthony Diamaoden, OIC of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines here, said Thursday they have permanently extended operating hours by one hour — from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. — to accommodate late-hour or delayed flights, especially departures for Manila.
Flights to Manila can now depart on or before 7 p.m. from Dumaguete, with minimal night-landing equipment such as runway lights to support this, he said.
According to the airport official, the number of flights at the Dumaguete-Sibulan airport has increased to accommodate more local and foreign tourist arrivals as well as cargo.
He said because of this, Cebu Pacific has also requested the CAAP to open the airport at 5 a.m. instead of 6 a.m. especially as there are days when they have early departures.
He disclosed that on certain days, there are six departure flights daily to Manila and other days, there are four.
Also, there are regular flights to Cebu, he added.
Because of the extended hours of operations at the airport here, the local CAAP chief has requested the Department of Transportation for funding for a lighting project for the airport’s vehicle parking area.
Diamaoden explained the need to provide ample lighting at the parking space for the security and safety of airport users.
The CAAP chief also disclosed that DOTr is planning to renovate the existing passenger departure and arrival buildings, which are currently separated, by making it into one bigger structure to accommodate more passengers.
He stressed the need for additional improvements at the Dumaguete-Sibulan airport, such as its restrooms, to make it more appealing to the passengers and other users, such as during a presidential visit.
Diamaoden confirmed a rise in the influx of passengers to Dumaguete in 2016 although his office is still collating data for the entire year.
Meanwhile, Assistant Sec. Gaspar Ramon Aw Villegas, director for Communications of the Office of the President, said the improvements at the Dumaguete airport will “regain the lost glory” of the Dumaguete Airport which was awarded as the best domestic airport in the Philippines for three consecutive years during Chuang’s stint.
He said he is looking forward to seeing this year some improvements such as a new state-of-the-art passenger terminal, clean comfort rooms, breast feeding stations and new air conditioning systems, among others. (Judy F. Partlow)
