Davao International Airport Needs Urgent Attention for the Necessary "Changes"
Posted on Saturday, 16 July 2016
DAVAO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT NEEDS URGENT
ATTENTION
FOR THE NECESSARY “CHANGES”
By Apolinario Villalobos
When Rodrigo Duterte was campaigning for
the presidency, the popular caveat is: “change is coming”. Now, that he is in
Malacaἧan Palace finally, it has become: “change for the better”. Indeed,
there are so many things that need to be changed as part of his “house
cleaning”. One of them is the Davao International Airport which is in a very
sorry state. Many disappointed visitors to the Davao were heard to have
commented on how in the world has such a “dilapidated” terminal become an
international airport? For one thing, the decrepit signage announcing “Davao
International Airport” has only with four or five lighted letters. The whole
terminal building needs a repainting to put it bluntly. One lane that leads to
the entrance of the pre-departure is closed forcing passengers alighting from
taxis, thereby, forcing them to cross two lanes before finally making it to the
unglamorous gate of the pre-dep. And, worst is the constant breakdown of the
aircon system making many offices inside the terminal building akin to sauna
cubicles!
Davao is supposed to be the premier
international airport in Mindanao, but there is not even a 24-hour lounge for
passengers who come from neighboring cities and towns, and who are then forced
to stay in cheap downtown lodging facilities for a few hours in their desire to
be on the first flight the following day. The average taxi fare from the
downtown area is Php250, but for humanitarian’s sake, there should be a tip of
at least Php20.00 The drivers of taxis queueing outside the airport “fence” are
left on their own without, at least mobile toilets. And, to think that they an
integral part of the tourism industry. I was told by many drivers that they
would have to look for discreet corners every time they heed the call of
nature. Aside from the mobile toilet, they should be provided with at least, a
sheds of tarp with benches as they patiently wait for the visitors for 24
hours. And, there’s one signage announcing the presence of a government office
in the area, but the name is shamefully printed in small letters under the name
of the sponsor, a soft drink company which is printed in big letters…now, I
think that is wrong because government agencies are not supposed to solicit
funds for promo undertakings as they are supposedly budgeted!
The new secretary of the Department of
Tourism, Wanda Tulfo Teo should do something about the aforementioned appalling
situations. There is no problem with the peace and order of Davao, especially, with
the transport service because taxi drivers are generally courteous and honest.
But tourism is not all about peace and honest taxi drivers. The industry is
more that those, as just like in visiting a house as guest, there is a
question, such as, what can a palatable food on a grandly prepared table do if
the yard is full of grass, the gate and the door are dilapidated, and the
lighting fixtures are out of order?
The international focus has been veered
towards Davao where the new president came from, and also due to its reputation
as the comparably most peaceful city in the Philippines, thanks to him. It is
home to the highest peak in the country, Mt. Apo, at 10,311 feet above sea
level: the most exotic fruit, durian: Davao coffee made from coffee beans
disposed awkwardly by civets from their innards: and, not to mention the
reputation of the city as the biggest in area, in the whole world at 2,444
square kilometers. The new president who is known for his hard-hitting remarks
and cuss has trebled the curiosity about this city. Davao is not only about
Mindanao…she now stands for the Philippines as Duterte has become synonymous to
her.
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