Magalong: No demolition order yet for Loakan runway residents

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong clarified on Monday that they have not issued any demolition orders yet for the residents along Loakan airport in connection to its opening for more commercial flights.

Magalong said that the city government will properly engage with the affected residents from the buffer zone of the runway.

“I haven’t given any orders to demolish yet because I would like to make sure that due process is strictly observed and that there’s proper consultation,” Magalong emphasized.

Commercial flights

In a meeting with Magalong on Thursday, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Jim Sydiongco mentioned that Loakan Airport never closed down to commercial flights.

Magalong added that commercial airlines refused to operate because of safety concerns.

“One is because, settlers have practically occupied the buffer zone. Second is some buildings, some structures, are above the tolerable height limit. Number three is that they need to upgrade ‘yung facility ng airport,” Magalong said.

CAAP also clarified that they will not close the airport because it serves as an entry to adjacent provinces- a big help in times of disasters such as the 1990 earthquake.

“Sabi niya sa akin, Mayor, definitely we will not close the airport. It will remain open dahil this is our gateway to other provinces. It is being used as a civil defense like especially during disasters and we have experienced that during the earthquake… without the airport, we would have a hard time bringing ion supplies, equipment, and materials for infrastructure,” Magalong said.

Magalong said that the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and some airlines asked the mayor if the airport is open to commercial flights.

“Some of the airlines are really, very aggressive in opening the aiport and at the same time, PEZA is also asking us if we can open the airport kasi ‘yan din ang isa sa mga hinihintay ng kanilang investors… is Loakan Airport open to commercial flight?” said Magalong.

Notice

Last month, affected residents like those without building permits and those built within the buffer zone received notice of violation from the city government.

City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) investigation and demolition division head Stephen Capuyan mentioned that what they are asking for now are documents from the residents.

“The contents of the notice of violation is for them to provide their building permits, occupancy permits,” Capuyan said.

According to Capuyan, only six have building permits, one has an occupancy permit and 43 have land titles.

Affected residents

Ibaloi residents at the Loakan Airport insisted that their land is sacred.

“Nobody even touches on the fact that sacred diyan sa amin eh. That land is sacred, we hold canaos there… because it’s you know, ‘yung title na ‘yun, it’s something else but when you say that place is sacred in our culture as Ibalois… halos more than that eh, more than that just paper title,” said Ibaloi resident Andrew Carantes.

Green Meadows Homeowners Association President Lito Tongcalo expressed concern over the issue despite having land titles.

“Kaya kami medyo nababahala rin kasi sabi ninyo kahit titled kung talagang kailangang-kailangan talaga wala kaming magagawa,” said Tongcalo.

(We are concerned because you said that even if we have our own titles, if we really need to vacate the area, we don’t have any choice but to leave the area.)

Tongcalo hoped that the city government will take necessary measures on the issue.

“’Yun lang ang tanging hinihiling ko… na sana lahat po ng affected kung may remedy naman po magawan ng paraan po,” Tongcalo said.

(That’s all I’m asking, an alternative for affected residents.)

Mitigating measures

Magalong assured the residents that the city government is talking to CAAP for mitigating measures to reduce the affected structures.

“We are also talking para hindi naman gaanong maapektuhan ‘yung marami. Humingi naman ako ng, is there a way we can reduce ‘yung pagtanggal ng structures and at the same time put in some mitigating measures para mabawasan naman,” said Magalong.

(We are also talking if there is a way to reduce the number of affected structures and at the same time put some mitigating measures to reduce those who are affected.)

“What is important is that we are applying the law and we are fair and we have to do what is right,” emphasized Magalong.

In connection, CAAP arrived last week to conduct another ocular survey on the area.

By Jaira Palpallatoc