The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines on Friday announced that the preventive maintenance, repair, and patching works at the Tagbilaran Airport runway have been completed.
CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said the degradation of the runway surface was caused by continuous rains in the past weeks resulting in water to infiltrate under the runway and causing potholes and cracks.
Earlier, the CAAP Operation Center issued a notice to airmen (Notam CO411/18) advising aircraft pilots of the preventive maintenance works being done as the damage can affect runway and flight safety and can be dangerous to aircraft.
The preventive maintenance is a collaborative effort between the Department of Transportation, CAAP, local government unit, and private contractors enlisted to assist in the delivery and repair works.
CAAP Deputy Director General for Operations Capt. Don Mendoza together with CAAP Area 7 Manager Rafael Tatlonghari personally checked the portion of the 1,779-meter runway that underwent the emergency repair.
“The continuing deterioration of the runway surface had to be addressed immediately for the safety of all passengers and aircraft operating in Tagbilaran,” Mendoza said.
Tagbilaran Airport will soon be replaced by the Bohol-Panglao International Airport in Panglao upon its expected completion and commercial operations this month of August.