THE Clark International Airport in Pampanga, considered the primary option for diverting international flights that cannot be accommodated at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), is urgently in need of rehabilitation of its control tower building and facilities.
A technical inspection conducted early this year by the Commission on Audit found the control tower and other facilities non-compliant with international regulations.
“The deteriorating condition of the Aerodome Traffic Control Tower puts airport operations at risk caused by facilities which have gone outdated and not conforming with international standards which hinders the attainment of its objective to develop the airport into a premiere international airport of the Philippines,” the COA said.
The findings were contained in a Value for Money Audit released yesterday, a copy of which was earlier submitted to the Board of Directors of the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC).
According to COA, the onsite inspection was completed last January 7.
The most immediate cause concern was the non-operational elevator that is supposed to carry people and freight up the 11-storey structure.
Personnel of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) who work as air traffic controllers have to use the stairs every day to reach their workplace.
“The entry of women as Aerodome Traffic Controllers has raised gender-sensitive issues, especially for expectant mothers who cannot go upstairs with more than a hundred steps. Moreover, human factors such as faintness may bring constraints to the workforce to climb up the 11-storey tower or much worse, may result to accidents,” the COA said.
In the event of an emergency, auditors said, the absence of a working elevator might endanger airport operations.
Poor lighting conditions inside the tower were also noted which affect the personnel’s efficiency in reading and conveying information like hold-short instruction, take-off and landing clearances, as well as frequency changes. The COA said conditions are particularly difficult at night.
Additional concerns include exposed electrical wiring and components that were deemed fire hazards, cracked interior wall paint, abandoned equipment in vacant rooms, and litter in the tower’s terrace.
An interview with the CAAP head in the control tower revealed the said concerns were brought up in their monthly reports to the CIAC since 2000 but no action has been taken.
“We recommend the president and chief executive officer (of CIAC) prioritize the rehabilitation of the Aerodome Traffic Control Tower building and facility to meet the international standards and requirements of ICAO,” the COA said.
A technical inspection conducted early this year by the Commission on Audit found the control tower and other facilities non-compliant with international regulations.
“The deteriorating condition of the Aerodome Traffic Control Tower puts airport operations at risk caused by facilities which have gone outdated and not conforming with international standards which hinders the attainment of its objective to develop the airport into a premiere international airport of the Philippines,” the COA said.
The findings were contained in a Value for Money Audit released yesterday, a copy of which was earlier submitted to the Board of Directors of the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC).
According to COA, the onsite inspection was completed last January 7.
The most immediate cause concern was the non-operational elevator that is supposed to carry people and freight up the 11-storey structure.
Personnel of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) who work as air traffic controllers have to use the stairs every day to reach their workplace.
“The entry of women as Aerodome Traffic Controllers has raised gender-sensitive issues, especially for expectant mothers who cannot go upstairs with more than a hundred steps. Moreover, human factors such as faintness may bring constraints to the workforce to climb up the 11-storey tower or much worse, may result to accidents,” the COA said.
In the event of an emergency, auditors said, the absence of a working elevator might endanger airport operations.
Poor lighting conditions inside the tower were also noted which affect the personnel’s efficiency in reading and conveying information like hold-short instruction, take-off and landing clearances, as well as frequency changes. The COA said conditions are particularly difficult at night.
Additional concerns include exposed electrical wiring and components that were deemed fire hazards, cracked interior wall paint, abandoned equipment in vacant rooms, and litter in the tower’s terrace.
An interview with the CAAP head in the control tower revealed the said concerns were brought up in their monthly reports to the CIAC since 2000 but no action has been taken.
“We recommend the president and chief executive officer (of CIAC) prioritize the rehabilitation of the Aerodome Traffic Control Tower building and facility to meet the international standards and requirements of ICAO,” the COA said.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/clark-airport-control-tower-outdated-unsafe-coa
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