Zamboanga airport resumes daytime operations

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  - The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)  ordered the resumption of the operation of the Zamboanga International Airport (ZIA) Thursday after being submerged under flood water for two days , an official said.

Engr. Vicente Balan, acting ZIA and CAAP district manager,  said they have resumed flights for day time as the runway was cleared of flood waters.

“The normal flights resumed only from sunset to sundown,” Balan said.

He said they can not operate yet at night since they have to check the runway lights to ensure that these are working following the flooding.

The airport was shut down for two days following the incessant rains that submerged several areas in at least 22 barangays in this city, including the airport runway.

At least five persons were also reported dead, while six houses were damaged by landslide and rampaging river waters as incessant rains pounded the city for five days,  displacing thousands of residents.

Vast agriculture and fishpond areas were also destroyed after they were submerged by the flood waters.

City Agriculturist Diosdado Palacad said they have yet to assess the total estimate of damage of the agricultural and fishpond areas affected by flood.

The flooding has prompted the local crisis management committee (CMC) to extend the cancellation of classes in all levels Thursday but government employees were directed to report for work.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climcaco-Salazar said classes might resume as flood waters have subsided  and affected residents who evacuated started to return to  their homes in many affected areas in this city.