ILOILO – Could Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan town effectively handle a major air disaster? This question will be put to the test as the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) conducts a full-scale emergency simulation on Friday, Nov. 10.
The exercise, critical for the airport’s Aerodrome Certification, will reveal the readiness of emergency services in the face of potential aviation crises.
CAAP has disseminated a notice to airmen (NOTAM) alerting airlines operating out of Iloilo Airport to the planned exercise, which will take place from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., so that passengers can be duly informed.
Engr. Eusebio Monserate Jr., CAAP-6 acting area manager, highlighted the importance of the drill in light of the increased number of flights and passengers post-pandemic.
“Following the pandemic, we’ve seen a surge in the number of flights. To prepare for a continued increase in passenger traffic in the coming years, we must be ready for any potential aircraft accidents. We hope such an event never occurs, but we want to be fully prepared,” Monserate said.
The exercise will also involve responders from the four municipalities adjacent to the airport: Santa Barbara, Cabatuan, Pavia, and San Miguel.
Monserate emphasized that the goal of this complex capacity-building activity is to test the Airport Emergency Plan, identify any shortcomings, streamline procedures, and ensure coordination among the Mutual Aid Responders.
This collaborative approach is crucial for handling catastrophic events effectively and is a mandatory requirement for all international airports concerning Aerodrome Certification.
“Following this exercise, we’ll identify what we’re lacking, what additional equipment is necessary, and how to establish strong coordination amongst ourselves and the nearby municipalities to respond effectively to catastrophes,” Monserate added.
In past years, the airport has conducted simulation exercises for various scenarios, including bombings and fires. These drills have been instrumental in identifying areas for improvement, such as communication equipment and emergency protocols.
Friday’s Scenario
An aircraft accident will be simulated wherein a plane crashes shortly after takeoff. The mock crash site is in Barangay Cabugao Sur, Santa Barbara, aiming to assess the response capabilities of the Mutual Aid Responders, including elements from Fire Suppression, Law Enforcement, and Medical Operations.
The exercise will also include participants from the Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Office of the Civil Defense, the Philippine Air Force, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Police Regional Office 6, the National Telecommunications Commission, and the Department of Health Region 6.
Advisory to Affected Passengers, Residents
Manuela Luisa Palma, Iloilo airport manager, mentioned that airlines have been coordinating for a month in advance to notify affected passengers about possible changes in flight schedules.
“We’ve been in touch with the airlines for some time, and they have informed their passengers. However, if there are passengers who remain unaware, we urge them to check with their airlines for any updates to their flight details,” Palma said during the press conference.
She further explained that flights scheduled from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the day of the exercise have been either moved to earlier times or postponed.
Residents in the vicinity of the airport have been advised not to be alarmed by the sounds of sirens from ambulances and fire trucks, as these are part of the simulation.
“We don’t want people to panic when they hear the sirens because they are a component of a full-scale emergency drill,” Palma added.
The simulation will result in a noticeable deployment of emergency vehicles and personnel, some road closures around the airport, and possible traffic delays and flight disruptions.
“A slight inconvenience is necessary for us to jointly enhance our disaster preparedness and resilience,” CAAP-Iloilo asserts.
According to CAAP data, the Iloilo Airport handles 39 commercial flights daily (19 arrivals and 19 departures) between Iloilo and Metro Manila. The airport also serves flights to and from General Santos, Davao, and Cebu, albeit on an intermittent schedule./PN
