BAGUIO City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said preparations for rehabilitation of the Loakan airport is upcoming.
Magalong said the city is keen on pursuing the airport rehabilitation for its eventual operations which is projected to boost further the economy of the city, adding result of a meeting with the Philippine Export Zone Authorities indicated the airport opening will set a new tone for transactions for the mountain city.
The chief executive said a meeting and ocular survey by the Civil Aeronautics Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
DOTr will set and define the roadmap for the Loakan airport project according to Magalong.
Commercial airlines ceased operating in Baguio since the 1990s due to difficulties in landing at the 1.6 kilometer runway of the Loakan airport as well as the zero visibility normally experienced due to thick cloud.
In 2013, the Regional Development Council (RDC) in the Cordillera approved and adopted a study on advancing the Baguio airport program prepared by the technical working group of the Loakan Airport in cooperation with CAAP.
However, a snag in plans for the airport is several hectares of land occupied by illegal settlers.
“If they cannot justify if they are there, they should not occupy the space, nasa batas yun, hindi mo pag aari – wag mo occupy,” Magalong responded.
(If they cannot justify why they are there, they should not occupy the space, it is the law, if it’s not your property – don’t occupy it.)
Magalong said notices have been given to settlers and ample time for preparation has to be issued adding the administration is both compassionate to the needs of the people but said due process as well as the law has to be respected.
“We are a compassionate administration but we have to follow the law,” Magalong added.
Magalong said buffer zones have to be set at the Loakan area as the relayed three notices will be sent to settlers to amicably follow the law which pushes government to demolish illegal structures.