By Vincent P. Grecia
The Infrastructure Development Committee (IDC) of the Regional Development Council (RDC) has called for the removal from office of the Iloilo Airport manager and the Acting Manager of Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Area VI.
The Iloilo Airport Manager is Manuela Luisa Palma while the CAAP Acting Area Manager is Eusebio Monserate, Jr.
IDC VI in its Resolution No. 05 series of 2023 stated that the two officials failed to attend the fourth quarter meeting of RDC-IDC on November 8, 2023 where IDC chairperson Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas sought updates on the Iloilo airport upgrading.
The IDC VI also noted that several airport facilities and equipment need repair and improvement, particularly the non-working escalators and chillers.
Iloilo airport, the 5th busiest airport in the country in 2022, is not in good condition and cannot accomodate the increasing passenger and cargo traffic, it added.
There is a leadership crisis in the Iloilo airport, hence a new, responsive and more active management is needed to address the prevailing concerns, the IDC VI resolution stated.
“I am very disappointed with the present status of the Iloilo airport. The air conditioning machines are not working, the x-rays are not working, and the escalator is not working. Even the toilets are smelly. It is no longer the same airport. Furthermore, the passenger terminal is congested. No plans from CAAP National at all,” told the media in an interview after the IDC VI resolution came out in public.
Earlier, the Provincial Development Council (PDC) Executive Committee passed two resolutions relative to the urgent expansion of the Iloilo International Airport during their meeting presided by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. on October 9, 2023 at the Governor’s Boardroom.
First, the council submitted a resolution requesting Prime Asset Ventures, Inc. (PAVI) to submit all the documentary requirements to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) regarding their proposed unsolicited proposal (USP) in the amount of ₱6.89 billion.
Second is a resolution requesting the DOTr to expedite the evaluation of the unsolicited proposal of PAVI.
Governor Defensor has been strongly pushing for the urgent expansion of the facility to cater to more passengers following the rapid growth in the city and province.
The governor brought the matter to DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista during his recent meeting with the latter last September 29, 2023.
