Pending lot claims check, no demolition of houses yet at Loakan Airport

By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUIO CITY -- Mayor Benjamin Magalong told distraught residents affected by the planned resumption of Loakan Airport’s commercial operation that an investigation will be conducted to determine the legitimacy of their land claims.

Magalong, during the city council’s regular session on Feb. 24, said his office will coordinate with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to hold a public consultation with affected residents and barangay officials after gathering technical data and critical information regarding the project and results of said investigation.

“Based on the initial data, there are six structures with building permits, one with an occupancy permit, and 43 without building permits but are titled,” said Stephen Capuyan, head of the CBAO investigation and demolition division.           
Capuyan, an engineer said buffer zone is 75 meters from the centerline on each side of the runway.

He added some 200 structures within the declared buffer zone, 150 had already been issued violation notice.

Magalong said clearing of structures within the buffer zone is a critical process.      

The chief executive said the city government had not issued any demolition order to affected residents.               

“What we issued is a violation notice merely informing these residents that they violated the Building Code and that they built their structures within the buffer zone covered by Proclamation No. 1358,” Magalong said.              

Magalong mentioned the possibility of giving just compensation to residents holding legitimate land titles as a result of expropriation.

Loakan punong barangay Edward Emmanuel Cayetano said tagging of all residents as illegal settlers was unfortunate saying many properties in the area had been titled since 1910.        

Asked about the city’s plans to relocate affected residents, Magalong said assistance will be provided to those who are entitled to relocation.      

The mayor told Cayetano the city government will settle for a “win-win solution.”

“We will do a compromise. What is important is we are applying the law, and we are fair,” Magalong said. “We will continue to engage the CAAP. Titignan natin kung ano ang pinakamagandang paraan.”

Magalong said the city government, in partnership with the CAAP, needs to devise mitigating measures to minimize the number of affected residents and reduce the impact of the implementation of the project.             

Having met with the CAAP officials on Feb. 21, Magalong said he can vouch for the agency’s uprightness in clearing the protected area starting with the CAAP personnel who themselves had built their structures within the buffer zone.                

“The CAAP will again be sending a team to conduct another ocular survey to show that they are cleaning the buffer zone starting with their own employees who occupied illegally parts of the CAAP property,” Magalong said.           

Magalong urged residents to abide by the law and to police non-compliant individuals.    

“Isa lang po ang ipapakiusap ko sa inyo. Sana wala na pong mapapatayo ng structures doon. Alam niyo kung sino mga kasama niyo,” Magalong stated. “Sa inyo na nanggaling na kaya kayo naidadamay ay dahil sa kalokohan ng iba.” 

During the city council’s Feb. 3 regular session, Councilors Mylen Victoria Yaranon and Benny Bomogao requested the CAAP to present the development plan of the Loakan Airport before the City Council. The chief executive, however said the plan is still “a work in progress.” -