PART III: INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT FACILITIES

    

     Chapter 17. Air Transportation

I.  Summary

 

   The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) was activated effective 22 May 2008 pursuant to Section 94 of Republic Act No. 9497, dated 04 March 2008, “An Act Creating the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines”.  Simultaneously, the Air Tranportation Office (ATO), created under Republic Act No. 776, as amended, was abolished pursuant to Sections 4 and 85 of R.A. 9497.  The Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) continued to assume the powers of Director-General (DG) of CAAP until the formal appointment of its first DG.

 

   Under DOTC Department Order No. 89-401, nine area centers throughout the country were created in the promotion/implementation of civil aviation in the country and abroad.  The airports of the Bicol Region were clustered as Area Center IV with Legazpi Airport as the cluster main airport.  An Airport Area Manager heads an Area Center wherein all airports in the region are under his jurisdiction.

 

   There are seven airports in Area Center IV, namely:  one cluster main airport (Legazpi Airport); five principal airports (Naga, Virac, Masbate, Daet, and Sorsogon); and one community airport in Bulan, Sorsogon.  Philippine Airlines (PAL), Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines, Zest Air and Asian Spirit provide the aviation needs of the region’s airports.

 

   The major air carriers for Legazpi Airport are Philippine Airlines (PAL), Zest Air, and Cebu Pacific.  Air Philippines and Cebu Pacific serve Naga Airport, while Asian Spirit and Philippine Airlines are serving the airports in the island provinces of Masbate and Catanduanes.  Daet, Sorsogon, and Bulan Airports operate and accepted non-commercial smaller aircrafts that fall under the category of general aviation.  All seven airports operate only during daytime However, with prior notice, Legazpi Airport can handle night landing operations.

 

   As of December 31, 2008, 16 airport maintenance/repair/infrastructure projects were undertaken by the agency. The total cost of all these projects was P4.598 million.  Maintenance projects were undertaken particularly in the airports of Legazpi, Naga, Masbate, and Virac, and Sorsogon.

 

 II.  Assessment

   Development of a new Legazpi Airport of international standards

   The proposed New Legazpi Airport (Southern Luzon International Airport) Project involves the conduct of feasibility/advance engineering study, preparation of the detailed engineering design and construction of airport facilities. It also includes land acquisition of about 180 hectares. The project aims to develop a new airport with international standards in Alobo, Daraga, Albay replacing the existing Legaspi Airport to accommodate bigger aircraft that would service the growing volume of passengers.  The project would also enhance the efficiency, reliability and safety standard of air transportation services.  The project is one of the priority projects of the President identified in the SONA.

 

   The feasibility/advance engineering study, detailed engineering plans, and parcellary survey for the site acquisition were completed.  The feasibility study and engineering plans were submitted to NEDA in May 2009 for review and approval by the NEDA-ICC.

 

   The funding requirement for the proposed project is P3.89 billion.  It would be sourced from authorized allotments of the DOTC’s locally funded projects or as may be provided for by the GOP.  The funding strategy would be submitted to DBM for the issuance of Multi-Year Obligational Authority (MYOA).  The target construction period of the airport is 2009-2012.

 

   Upgrading of existing airports to serve as gateways to growth centers and tourism destinations

 

   As of December 2008, 16 regular maintenance/repair/infrastructure projects were undertaken by the agency. Total cost of all these projects was   P4.598 million.  Maintenance projects were undertaken in the airports of Legazpi, Naga, Masbate, and Virac, and Sorsogon (Table 17.1).

 

   All the airports in the region sustained considerable damages brought by typhoons Milenyo and Reming. The aforementioned newly implemented projects by CAAP were not spared by the fury of the said super typhoons. Millions of pesos of infrastructure facilities were damaged by the typhoons. 

Table 17.1 Infrastructure Maintenance Projects, Bicol Region, CY 2008

   The busiest airport in the region was Legazpi Airport with 1,287 aircrafts that used the airport in CY 2008, embarking/disembarking about 281,863 passengers.

Table 17.3 Landing, Parking and Cargo Movement for Airports,

CAAP Area Center IV, CY 2008

III.  Prospects and Trends for 2009 

 

   The Southern Luzon International Airport Project is a priority project of President Arroyo identified in the SONA.  The target construction period of the project is 2009-012.  In order for the project to take off, the following activities must be undertaken in CY 2009: 

1. Review, presentation and approval of the project by the NEDA Board

2. Bidding processes

3. Acquisition of 180 hectares airport site

4. Construction of airport access road

5. Start of construction of airport runway and facilities.

    Maintenance and upgrading of other airports in the region will be undertaken in 2009.

back to top