Two days after a kite’s string got snagged on a plane’s wing while in flight, the Virac municipal government has reminded residents in 43 barangays of the ban against flying kites, drones and similar contraptions within a five-kilometer radius of the airport.
In a statement issued last Friday, April 12, 2024, Mayor Samuel V. Laynes reiterated that pursuant to Municipal Ordinance No. 2023-11, the flying of kites (buradol), hot air balloons, aerial drones or any other flying contraptions that could endanger aircraft operations is strictly prohibited.
This prohibition is particularly crucial in areas under the flight path of airplanes approaching or departing from Virac Airport, the chief executive stressed.
In the incident that occurred last Wednesday, April 10, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) reported that the private plane which flew into the kite string managed to land safely at the airport where the string was removed.
Mayor Laynes emphasized that while the ordinance permits the use of aerial drones for disaster response, prevention efforts, and research purposes, prior coordination with CAAP at Virac Airport is mandatory.
Aside from flying drones and kites, the ordinance also prohibits the following actions within the airport vicinity: pointing laser pointers at aircraft during critical operations; placing on any part of the runway or taxiway debris or objects that could pose risks to landing or departing aircraft; and allowing pets and domestic animals, such as carabaos, cows, and goats, to wander freely in operational areas near the runway and taxiway.
The implementation of security and preventive measures under this ordinance extends to the following barangays within the five (5) kilometer radius from the airport: Antipolo, Bigaa, Cabihian, Calabnigan, Calatagan Proper, Calatagan Tibang, Casoocan, Cavinitan, Concepcion, Constantino, Danicop, F. Tacorda Village, Francia, Gogon Centro, Gogon Sirangan, Hawan Grande, Hawan Ilayan, Hicming;
Ibong Sapa, San Vicente, Igang, JM Poniton, Lanao, Marcelo Alberto, Pajo Baguio, Pajo San Isidro, Palnab del Norte, Palnab del Sur, Palta Big, Palta Salvacion, Palta Small, Rawis, San Isidro Village, San Jose, San Juan, San Pablo, San Roque, Sogod Tibgao, Sta. Cruz, Sta. Elena, Sto. Niño, Sto. Cristo, Sto. Domingo and Tubaon.
“We urge full cooperation and strict adherence to this ordinance for the safety and security of all,” Laynes emphasized.
For inquiries or clarifications regarding the ordinance, residents are encouraged to contact the Virac Municipal Government – Office of the Sangguniang Bayan at Municipal Building, Salvacion, Virac through or email them at lguvirac2022@gmail.com or the Civil Aviation Authority – Virac Airport, San Isidro Village, Virac, Catanduanes through telephone number (+632)52-741-1912 or virac_airport@caap.gov.ph