By MB Online
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will try to reopen Clark International Airport, even if only partially, on Wednesday (April 24), when it hopes to finish assessing damage to the facility from Monday’s earthquake.
(CLARK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT / FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN)
In a statement on DOTr’s Facebook page, the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) said the airport’s tower, apron, runways and taxiways need to by fully inspected before it is reopened.
The initial assessment showed that the airport’s infrastructure is still “structurally sound” after the magnitude 6.1 quake that jolted Central Luzon Monday afternoon.
“The good news is that the tower can be operated, there was no substantial damage. There is also no problem with the road surface of the airports,” CIAC President Jaime Melo was quoted as saying in a press briefing.
Melo also said stranded passengers will get priority once partial operations resume.
Power at Clark was restored at 10:30 p.m., Monday.
The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) provided temporary shelters for those who were affected by the sudden closure of the airport.
Designated as temporary shelters are: the training center of HSD, pavilion at Bicentennial Park, Philippine Air Force Gym and Clark parade grounds. Food and water will also be provided to passengers who missed their flights because of the earthquake.
Read more: Strong 6.1 quake jolts Metro, Luzon