DOTr to probe Mactan-Cebu airport runway

The Department of Transportation on Sunday said it will look into the problem with a portion of the runway of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport that caused several flights to be canceled or delayed on Saturday.

“Iniimbestigahan natin [ang dahilan ng pothole sa bahagi ng runway]. Kailangang imbestigahan bakit tumuklap ang aspalto sa runway,” DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon told Super Radyo dzBB.

(We will investigate the reason behind the potholes along the runway. We need to investigate why the asphalt eroded.)

According to Dizon, the airport’s runway was last repaired in 2018 or 2020.

“Iimbestigahan natin 'yung naging quality nung last repair, 'yung quality ng materyales. Hindi dapat basta-basta tumutuklap 'yung aspalto diyan,” Dizon said.

(We will investigate the quality of the last repair and its materials. The asphalt should not easily erode.)

In a separate dzBB interview on Sunday, Eric Apolonio, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) spokesperson, explained that potholes pose a threat to aviation safety.

“Ang runway, kapag may potholes ay napakadelikado para sa mga eroplano. Hindi puwedeng i-compromise ang safety,” Apolonio said.

(It’s dangerous if a runway has potholes. Safety cannot be compromised.

On Saturday, a second runway was opened to give way to the urgent repairs to the damaged pavement of Runway 04R/22L.

At 7:30 p.m., immediate repair works along the primary runway were completed and flight operations resumed.

Meanwhile, the Civil Aeronautics Board has ordered airlines to accommodate affected passengers, Dizon said. —KG, GMA Integrated News