The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) at Bacolod-Silay Airport called on passengers to remain calm during airport emergencies.

“We have to stay calm,” said CAAP air traffic services chief, Engr. Himelie Fernandez. “Airport personnel, all of us, are trained to respond to an emergency.”

In a radio interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Fernandez explained both CAAP and commercial airlines have well-coordinated emergency plans and procedures in order to respond efficiently to emergency situations.

The CAAP official requested passengers to follow instructions provided by flight attendants should an emergency take place aboard the airplane. In an airport, passengers should follow directions given by the incident commander stationed in their area.

Among the emergency situations CAAP recognizes could happen include an aircraft accident in or off the airport, an aircraft accident on the water, a full emergency, local standby due to airplane defect, unlawful interference, a bomb threat to aircraft or building, a ground incident, structural fire within the airport, weather standby, earthquake, hazardous material incident, aviation pandemic incident, or civil disturbance./WDJ