The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) will commence by July this year Phase 2 of the Baler Airport Development Project in Aurora.
CAAP Civil Aviation Area Manager Glenn Tripulca said that Baler Airport, classified as a community airport, undergoes development projects to improve its capacity and safety to accommodate flights and passengers.
Phase 2 entails the construction of a Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) with an additional 212 seating capacity.
“We have already procured a third party consultant for the survey works. There are still remaining works to be done. The PTB will begin after the issuance of Deed of Absolute Sale and 50 percent payment for the site acquisition,” Tripulca explained.
Phase 1 of the infrastructure project is composed of the extension of Runway 23 and Runway 05, construction of apron and taxiway, construction of fence, runway markings, reinforced concrete pipe culvert, earthworks, and ditch canal.
The actual accomplishment for runway extension and ditch canal is at 36 percent since construction of new apron and taxiway cannot commence with work activities due to unacquired properties.
Meanwhile, other CAAP projects in Central Luzon include the ongoing development plan for the establishment of Iba Airport in Zambales as Approved Training Organization (ATO) Training Area of the North.
The Plaridel Airport in Bulacan, a certified training area for ATO, is used extensively as a training facility for all types of pilots whether civil, commercial or military.
“We continue to implement programs such as this to upgrade the capacity and quality of airports, and to elevate the quality of aviation training in the Philippines,” Tripulca noted.
CAAP Area Center III, which will soon relocate to Clark International Airport, is responsible for the airports in Baler, Iba, and Plaridel in Central Luzon.
Also, Sangley, Jomalig, and Alabat Airports in CALABARZON; and Lubang, Calapan, Pinamalayan, Wasig, San Jose, Mamburao, Marinduque, and Romblon Airports in MIMAROPA. (PIA Region 3-Tarlac)
