DMCI Homes debunks claim condo tower obstructs flight path to NAIA

DMCI Homes on Thursday debunked the allegations of Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito that its condominium project in Taguig City obstructs the flight path of aircraft bound for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
 
“Cypress Towers was not built recently. The 20-storey building was structurally completed in 2006, long before flight diversions to Clark International Airport became an issue,” DMCI Homes said in an emailed statement.
 
At the presentation of the 2017 budget of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and its attached agencies before the Senate Committee on Finance on Wednesday, Ejercito said he received complaints that the Cypress Towers, located along C-5 Road, was “on the path of incoming aircraft if you use [Runway] 24.”

The developer, however, noted its project was issued in 2003 a height clearance permit by the Air Transportation Office, now the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP.
 
“The permit strictly limits the height of the project to 85.35 meters above mean sea level (amsl) to keep NAIA safe from structural obstructions,” the company said.
 
At the DOTr’s budget presentation, CAAP acknowledged it has approved the height limit of the project.
 
“Cypress Towers is 82.3 meters amsl, which is more than three meters below the maximum permitted height,” DMCI said.
 
The developer noted CAAP declared at the Senate hearing the height of the condominium tower was a non-issue. 
 
Capt. Manuel Tamayo, CAAP deputy director general, said the property’s height was not an issue because they adjusted the Minimum Decision Altitude, an aviation term used when deciding when to push through or abort the plane’s landing.

"Right now, it’s not an issue anymore kasi tinaas 'yung limits niya ... I’m not sure how high the building is. But I just want to assure the riding public that safe 'yung approach even if it’s non-precision approach,” Tamayo said. — Ted Cordero/VDS, GMA News