Puerto Princesa city council seeks to delay return of commercial flights to Palawan

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY — The City Council is pushing to delay the commercial flight resumption to at least June 30, as the local government prioritizes the return of local stranded individuals (LSI) and overseas Filipino workers (OFW).

Majority floor leader councilor Victor Oliveros reiterated during the Question Hour on Monday that the city government would have to prepare for the eventuality of the reopening of the Puerto Princesa Port (PPP) and Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPIA).

Oliveros commended the efforts of the frontliners but pointed out that certain lapses would have to be mitigated in the near-future commercial travels.

“COVID-19 is here to stay unless there is a vaccine. If we are to reopen our seaport and airport, we have to remember what happened,” Oliveros said.

Engr. Florevic Sonota, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Puerto Princesa City, said that the airport officials could process at least 180 passengers within three hours.

However, the recommendation was opposed by city incident commander Dr. Dean Palanca, in one of their joint meetings, Sonota said.

“We can process two aircrafts every three hours with 90 carrying capacity, so 180 passengers. Doc Dean said they could not do the testing,” Sonota added.

Councilor Roy Ventura, chairman of the committee on health at the City Council, acknowledged that the local healthcare system lacks medical supplies. He moved to call on the Department of Health (DOH) to act on the earlier requests to mount and replenish the medical needs of the city.

Virgilio Tagle, provincial and city director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), stressed that the decision to reopen would rely on “who has the final say.”

Tagle also said that the national inter-agency task force might veto the local issuances by the local government.

However, when enacted, it may serve as a basis pending marching orders from the national agencies.

“National agency obviously will prevail even though the local government has an ordinance,” Tagle said.

Sonota, affirming Tagle’s statement, said that if ever the national government orders PPIA reopening, the local government may still appeal, provided they can justify their stand. Pending such issuances, CAAP would follow suit on the local government’s request.

Joel Paredes, branch manager of Philippine Airlines (PAL) Puerto Princesa City, clarified before the City Council that the commercial flights previously announced to the passengers were subsequently postponed pending advisory from the local government.

“Still no confirmation of flight schedule. Indicated on our most recent advisory, we are awaiting development from the local government,” Paredes said.

Louie Fe Nacasi, deputy manager of AirAsia Inc. Puerto Princesa City upheld the same statement as the flag-carrier airline.