14 domestic airports to have night landing operations

MANILA, Philippines - Fourteen domestic airports all over the country will soon be receiving night ratings to accommodate more flights in an effort to boost tourism, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said yesterday.

Abad said they have  released P933.8 million for a public-private partnership (PPP) project that will “allow night landing operations” in the 14 local airports.

Among the airports are those in Tuguegarao, San Jose (Mindoro), Busuanga, Naga, Legazpi, Roxas, Tagbilaran, Dumaguete, Dipolog, Pagadian, Ozamiz, Cotabato, Butuan, and Surigao.

Abad said this is in line with the Aquino administration’s goal of “ramping up the country’s swiftly expanding airline and tourism industries.”

The funds, released to the Department of Transportation and Communications, are chargeable to the agency’s lump-sum appropriation for PPP transport infrastructure projects under the 2012 budget.

“Because there’s greater tourist interest in our local destinations, our airports are busier than ever. We are seeing a larger volume of human traffic and more flights weaving their way in and out of our runways,” Abad said.

“The night rating of these 14 airports will enable them to accommodate additional flights in the evening, so that their operations are no longer limited to daytime,” he said.

The 14 airports will be equipped with facilities necessary for night landing operations, including airfield lighting systems, communications equipment, power supply systems, air disaster management systems, and other systems for managing air traffic services.

Meanwhile, the DBM has also approved the creation of 85 new positions under the Bureau of Quarantine to enable better surveillance and improved control measures for infectious diseases and other health concerns.