Davao businessmen condemn poor handling of runway mishap; demand upgrade of airport

The runway mishap involving Cebu Pacific flight 5J-971 in the evening of June 2 underscores the lingering inadequacies that beleaguer the Davao International Airport.

This was clearly reflected in the way the situation was handled by both the airline company and airport authorities. The inadequacy of infrastructure, equipment, and emergency response system and preparedness at the Davao airport exposed the passengers to unacceptable risk. The lack of emergency facilities, including such basic requirement as an open clinic for this kind of emergency, further compromised the safety of passengers.

On the other hand, one of the country’s biggest airlines has yet to invest in a proper and adequate crisis management plan. The experience shared by the 165 passengers proved the inefficiency and lack of training of its personnel in handling this kind of crisis. Common among the stories recounted by passengers was that there were no personnel of the airline to instruct the passengers on emergency procedures/measures, nor were there post-emergency intervention and assistance. Instead of evacuating the aircraft as soon as possible, the passengers had to wait for some time before they were allowed to leave. The lack of adequate infrastructure, inefficient and ill prepared personnel, and apparent absence of crisis management plan endangered the lives of the passengers, which is reason enough to condemn the poor handling of the situation.

Beyond that, the incident also adversely affected the economy of the city and its nearby cities, which depends on the Davao Airport. The closure of operations at the airport did not only result to losses in airport and concessionaire revenues, but also in the city’s tourism industry and other downstream businesses. Worse, it undermined all the capital and goodwill invested by the national and local governments, as well as the private sector, in promoting Davao City and the region as the “gateway to the South”, the country’s hub in the BIMP-EAGA.

For more information, please contact the DCCCII Professional Management Team 2F DCCCII Bldg., JP Laurel Ave., Davao City Tel.: (082) 221-4148; 221-7515 Fax: (082) 221-7515; 226-4433 Email: info@davaochamber.com