DUMAGUETE CITY – Despite stormy weather due to Typhoon Ompong (international name Mangkhut), normal operations continue at the Dumaguete-Sibulan airport in Negros Oriental, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) here.
Local CAAP chief and airport manager Mark Diamaoden said Friday morning that all of the inbound and outbound flights at the Dumaguete-Sibulan airport have not been cancelled.
“We are constantly monitoring the situation because of Typhoon Ompong, however, wala pa man mi naka receive ug notice gikan sa taas (we have not received any notice from higher ups) regarding cancellation of flights),” Diamaoden said.
As Typhoon Ompong continues to barrel its way to the Philippines with a scheduled landfall early Saturday morning as announced by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, no public storm warning signal has been hoisted over Dumaguete and Negros Oriental.
Many shipping lines plying the Dumaguete route to other destinations like Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor have already cancelled their sea travel as early as Thursday morning, even without an official order from the Coast Guard.
Stranded passengers who have the capacity to book a flight can still return to or depart from Dumaguete via air travel.
Diamaoden said there are 10 flights on Friday, to and from the Dumaguete-Sibulan airport.
The ports of destination from Dumaguete include Manila, Cebu, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro, he added.
The local CAAP chief also assured that announcements will be made in the event of flight cancellation.
Ompong is not expected to directly affect the Visayas and Mindanao but rains in its outer bands are expected to enhance the southwestern monsoon or habagat.
On Friday, Dumaguete and other parts of the province are already experiencing intermittent heavy rains. (Mary Judaline Partlow/PNA)
