Defensor wants informal settlers removed

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. has ordered the removal of informal settlers along the entrance and right of way of the Iloilo Airport located in the towns of Cabatuan and Sta. Barbara in Iloilo.

Defensor has directly addressed his order to Frederick San Felix, the new manager of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)-Iloilo, who visited the governor Thursday after replacing Efren Nagrama who was assigned to Tacloban City last month.

CAAP-Iloilo owns the property, six-meter wide in both sides of the road, going to the airport entrance as part of its right of way, but some illegal structures have been occupying the area.

"The CAAP should not allow informal settlers to occupy its right of way so that there would be no problem when we need the space in the future. Temporarily, enclose the area with cyclone wire," Defensor told San Felix.

Defensor also advised CAAP-Iloilo to provide a service road for farmers and private land owners living near the airport so that they need not to use the access road going to the airport when going to their respective private lot.

"The plan is quite expensive but this service road will serve as their right of way in coming in and out of their farms without passing inside the airport as part of security measures," said the governor.

There are now at least 10 illegal structures occupying the vacant space outside the airport, such as sari-sari stores, houses, bars and restaurants.

San Felix, for his part, said he will raise this matter to the CAAP-central office in Manila for immediate action and to the Department of Transportation and Communication for other possible solutions.  (FREEMAN)