Wednesday, July 16, 2008 GMA orders CAA exec, mayor to upgrade airport in Calbayog
CALBAYOG, Samar - Calbayog City received an unexpected boost yesterday when President Gloria Arroyo directed national and local officials to implement enhancements to the local airport following the arrival here of the inaugural flight of PAL Express.
PAL Express is the low-fares unit of flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL).
Arroyo instructed Reuben Ciron, newly appointed director-general of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and Calbayog Mayor Mel Sarmiento, concurrent chair of the Regional Development Council in Region 8, to look into the request of PAL for urgent improvements to Calbayog airport.
These measures include the asphalt overlay of the runway extension, installation of runway lights, expansion of the turning pad, and setting-up of perimeter concrete fencing.
For the passenger terminal, the enhancements include the installation of a baggage carousel, x-ray machine and walk-through metal detectors.
Modern air-to-ground communications equipment was also needed, PAL said.
“We believe that these physical improvements will lead to a corresponding expansion in the Calbayog operations of not just PAL Express but other airlines as well,” said PAL president Jaime J. Bautista, who was onboard the Bombardier Q400 turbo-prop that arrived here from Manila at around 10:10 a.m.
Other ranking passengers were PAL deputy chief executive officer Henry So Uy, Canadian ambassador Robert Desjardins and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.
On hand to welcome the flight at Calbayog airport was President Arroyo, who arrived earlier to convene a meeting of the Regional Development Council and inspect development projects in the region. She was joined by local officials led by Mayor Sarmiento.
PAL Express’ inaugural flight to the Samar city was one of four new services to as many provincial points launched yesterday. The others were to San Jose (Occidental Mindoro), Virac (Catnaduanes); and Surigao (Surigao del Norte).
The new services expanded the PAL Express network to a combined 17 routes from hubs in Manila and Cebu. (PR)
