๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ซ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ โ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐โ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
๐ณ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐; ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ซ ๐๐๐๐๐-๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐
By GEROME DALIPE
ILOILO โ Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez ordered the removal of the preliminary X-ray screening area at Iloilo International Airport after an on-site inspection Saturday, calling the checkpoint โredundantโ and blaming it for chronic terminal congestion.
Lopez said the dismantling will free up space for queuing and passenger flow, and gave airport management 15 days to submit a concrete action plan to implement the change. โKailangan nang tanggalin ito kasi redundant na โyung proseso. โYan din ang bilin ng Pangulo โ maglaan ng mas malaking espasyo para sa mga pasahero, para hindi sila magsiksikan sa check-in,โ he told reporters.
He stressed security will remain tight: a final screening will still be conducted before boarding gates. Lopez also ordered airport officials to finalize terminal expansion plans, fast-track automated check-in using facial ID recognition to speed processing during peak hours, and upgrade runways to handle larger aircraft as part of a push to turn Iloilo into a bigger regional gateway.
โTuloy-tuloy โyung commitment natin to modernize our regional airports. Our passengers deserve the best travel experience, at โyan ang gagawin natin,โ Lopez said.
In a parallel directive responding to Typhoon Opong, Lopez instructed the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) and all airlines to immediately offer full refunds โ no rebooking or other fees โ to passengers whose flights were canceled by the storm. Airlines were told to proactively contact affected travelers with options. โThere should be no rebooking fees and other fees must be waived, and if a passenger chooses a refund, it must be a full refund,โ he said.
Airport and port managers were ordered to keep facilities open as temporary shelters and to provide food and water for stranded travelers. A no-sail policy has been imposed at designated ports by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The Philippine Ports Authority, with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, is on standby to deliver food and drinks to those stuck at piers.
The DOTr is on heightened alert ahead of the storm. Officials say roughly 5,600 Coast Guard personnel, 166 rescue boats and 122 vehicles have been deployed to assist communities in the typhoonโs path โ assets Lopez said are ready to help. Dizon added the forces were already in position to respond.
Passengers should expect terminal adjustments and technology rollouts to be prioritized in the coming months as Iloilo Airport prepares for the changes Lopez has ordered. Airport management has been given two weeks to present their plan.
