Landing and takeoff operations at General Santos Airport are now limited after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Sarangani province on Monday morning, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) said.
According to Caap, landing and takeoff operations at the airport are currently limited to government, military, and humanitarian flights.
‘A Notice to Airmen (Notam) is in effect from June 8 at 3 p.m. until June 11 at 6 p.m.,’ the agency said in a statement on Monday.
The aviation authority advised passengers to coordinate with their respective airlines regarding the status of their flights.
Several flights have also been canceled due to the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Maasim, Sarangani, at 7:37 a.m.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez ordered Caap to allow military, government, and humanitarian flights at General Santos Airport ‘to ensure unimpeded relief transport and rapid humanitarian response operations.’
‘The president’s directive is that we must respond quickly and continuously to the needs of our fellow citizens affected by the earthquake. We must be prompt in responding to immediately help our fellow citizens,’ he said in Filipino.
‘Apart from ensuring that the airport did not sustain severe damage, our primary concern is also the safety of passengers and personnel. We must also ensure that our colleagues and their families are safe because many are affected,’ he added.
He also instructed the transportation sector to prepare for the possible deployment of government assets for free rides to assist commuters stranded in earthquake-affected areas.
He directed the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s Davao and General Santos City offices to issue special permits to buses transporting stranded passengers to and from the Davao and GenSan airports.
Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) maritime sector heightened its safety and response measures following the issuance of the tsunami warning on Monday morning.
The DOTr chief likewise instructed the Philippine Coast Guard to immediately mobilize its assets and personnel to assist residents affected by the tsunami warning and support the evacuation of those in vulnerable coastal áreas.