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CALBAYOG, Samar—Calbayog City received an unexpected
boost Tuesday when President Arroyo directed national
and local officials to implement enhancements to the
local airport following the arrival here of the
inaugural flight of PAL Express, the low-fares unit of
flag carrier Philippine Airlines.
The
Chief Executive instructed Reuben Ciron, newly appointed
director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of the
Philippines, and Calbayog Mayor Mel Sarmiento,
concurrent chairman of the Regional Development Council
in Region 8, to look into the request of PAL for urgent
improvements to Calbayog airport.
These
measures include the asphalt overlay of the runway
extension, installation of runway lights, expansion of
the turning pad, and setting up of perimeter concrete
fencing.
For the
passenger terminal, the enhancements include the
installation of a baggage carousel, x-ray machine and
walk-through metal detectors.
Modern
air-to-ground communications equipment was also needed,
PAL said.
“We
believe that these physical improvements will lead to a
corresponding expansion in the Calbayog operations of
not just PAL Express but other airlines as well,” said
PAL president Jaime Bautista, who was onboard the
Bombardier Q400 turbo-prop that arrived here from Manila
at about 10:10 a.m.
Other
ranking passengers were PAL deputy chief executive
officer Henry So Uy, Canadian Ambassador Robert
Desjardins and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.
On hand
to welcome the flight at Calbayog airport was President
Arroyo, who arrived earlier to convene a meeting of the
Regional Development Council and inspect development
projects in the region. She was joined by local
officials, led by Mayor Sarmiento.
PAL
Express’ inaugural flight to Samar was one of four new
services to as many provincial points launched yesterday
(July 15). The others were to San Jose (Occidental
Mindoro); Virac (Catanduanes); and Surigao (Surigao del
Norte).
The
new services expanded the PAL Express network to a
combined 17 routes from hubs in Manila and Cebu. |
