Folks’ outcry on Loakan Airport valid: city mayor

By Aldwin Quitasol

BAGUIO CITY — The local government here is keen on holding a discussion with residents who were affected by the recent opening of the Loakan Airport and to assist them in searching for resolutions to various issues posed by the airport’s operation.
    Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong on Wednesday disclosed that the local government will hold a dialogue with residents today to address problems surrounding the resumption of operation of the Loakan Airport.
    Magalong said that he had received information that some residents are wary that their movements within the airport’s borders will be severely affected.
    However, the Baguio City mayor said the final decision regarding the issues surrounding the airport’s operations will still be in the hands of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
    Magalong said the local government can only help the affected residents in negotiating with the airport authorities to reach a win-win solution.
    “It is important that everybody should know that safety is only one of the factors to be considered in the measures being employed by CAAP in the airport,” Magalong said.
    He added that the 75 meter allowance from the airport and the runway should be done, stressing that the matter should be explained well to the residents near the airport to fully understand why there are measures and rules being imposed.
    In December last year, the City Council reminded the Task Force Skyline composed of barangay LGUs, CAAP, private and public organizations in charge of Loakan to address the issues and problems the residents in the area are raising.