Senator JV Ejercito wants the Senate to investigate officials of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines for allowing the construction of buildings that obstruct flight paths.
“I will file a resolution to investigate because it has happened, not once, but thrice,” said Ejercito, vice chairman of the Senate committee on public services.
He was referring to the almost-finished Aeon Tower in Davao City, which is reportedly standing directly on the flight path of aircrafts landing or taking off from the Davao International Airport.
There were reports that Mayor Sara Duterte has threatened not to allow the Aeon Towers building in Davao City to operate unless the developer complies with the five-day deadline to remove the boom cranes obstructing air traffic.
This is not the first time. Cypress Towers along C5 was the cause of diversions when the ILS (instrument landing system) of Runway 24 of Naia was non-operational, so many diversions to Clark,” Ejercito said.
Ejercito said the CAAP also allowed the construction of a private hangar at the end of the runway of the Clark International Airport, which was used as an alternative landing site of aircraft diverted from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport when its Instrument Landing System was not operational.
“Speaking of Clark, they allowed a hangar to be built right at the end of the runway,” he added.
The structures have prompted the CAAP to issue Notices to Airmen several times, warning pilots of the risks in landing and takeoff.
The senator said that last year, condominium property developer DMCI Homes in Taguig City has “onbstructed”
along the flight path of aircrafts bound for the Ninoy International Airport (NAIA).
“Now comes the Aeon Towers in Davao which is clearly in the flight path of the runway. Why is CAAP allowing this and compromising the safety of passengers and aircraft?” the senator said.
He warned that the construction of skyscrapers near airports poses danger to the public.