Go wants contingency plans to prevent airport chaos

SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go reiterated the need for contingency measures to avoid a fiasco similar to that which happened on New Year's Day that stopped flights and stranded thousands of passengers.

“Our air traffic control is very important. These technical facilities need a backup, a contingency plan. The lives of the passengers are also dependent on this,” the senator said.

Go called on law enforcement authorities to increase police visibility and aviation security while enhancing intelligence capabilities in airports.

“That is why I'm reminding the authorities to implement necessary security protocols in lieu of the X-ray scanners in departure areas. Let's maximize police visibility and enhance our intelligence capabilities to protect our citizens while valuing their convenience,” he added.

Go cited some of the efforts done by the Duterte administration to improve the country's air transport system such as using the Communications, Navigation,and Surveillance-Air Traffic Management and constructing new airports and rehabilitating existing ones.

The previous administration also finished more than 200 airport projects and the rehabilitation of airports severely damaged by natural calamities in previous years, such as the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Clark International Airport and Bohol-Panglao International Airport.