by Lore Doque
The white line or the runway center point serves as the basis of the 150-meter buffer zone necessary for aircraft to safely land and take off from Loakan Airport.
BAGUIO CITY – The city council issued a notice of violation to residents within the 150-meter buffer zone of the Loakan airport in line with the demolition for its reopening for commercial flights.
The affected residents immediately consulted their lawyers and submitted legal documents and proof of ownership of their properties upon receipt of the notice.
“Ipapakita namin that the property is ours namely, the land titles and supporting details like building permit. Yun lang naman yung requirements” said Lyn, a resident in the area.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) last February 7 has conducted a public consultation to the affected residents at the Loakan airport building. However, the residents claimed that there was no clear plan presented to them concerning the reopening of the airport.
“Kahit nga yung plano sa paggawa ng airport walang maipakita sa amin sa public consultation. Yung CAAP sinasabi wala silang alam na merong ganung plano so kung may plano man, hindi sila nasabihan,” said one of the people in the area.
One resident who also lives within the buffer zone condemned the possible closure of the access roads once the demolition pushes through.
“Ang concern pa naming ay paano nila ibibigay yung access road? Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) ang nag-approve ng access road. Ngayon, nasanay na ang mga tao kahit neighboring barangays na dumadaan sa access road papuntang town. Saan kami dadaan [pag naclosed ang access road]? Yung mga tao sa purok Ongasan, Mangga, Arupon at Suyok diyan sa access road at runway dumadaan. Saan yung ibibigay ng government na daan?” he said.
Other residents are also concerned with the lack of comprehensive plans on where they could be possibly relocated once the plan sets off.
“Saan kami lilipat? Sa Burnham? Ang dami ng tao dito sa Baguio tapos papaalisin pa kami dito. At pinagpaguran ng ninuno mo papayag kang kunin yung lupang yan? Kung kahit isang katiting hindi mo yun ibibigay na libre o at low price. Hindi ako papayag. Bago sila gumawa ng plano, tignan muna nila yung kanila para walang mabangga lalo na yung loteng may mga titulo. Ayaw kong kunin lang ng goberyno yung lupa ko dahil sa akin ito,” one resident said.
According to Loakan Proper barangay kagawad Jackson Chiday, the residents are already waiting for the next public consultation but Mayor Benjamin Magalong said he would have to talk to CAAP first regarding the legal basis on the properties.
“Sabi ni mayor, once ma-submit sa kanya yung legal basis regarding sa buffer zone, tatawag siya ng formal meeting with the affected residents,” kagawad Chiday said.
Chiday also reiterated that there is no exact date as to when the demolition will start.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) identified the 75-meter on both sides from the center point of the runway as a buffer zone.
Edited by Felisa Guzman