The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) in Negros Oriental will hold regular simulation exercises (simex) to ensure a disaster-resilient Dumaguete-Sibulan airport, officials said yesterday.

The announcement follows a successful full-scale mock drill staged at the airport on Wednesday afternoon, October 8, to test the emergency response procedures and capabilities of airport authorities and their partners.

Frank Muaña Jr., aviation services safety officer of CAAP-Dumaguete, reported a 90 percent rating for the simex, based on the evaluation of observers.

He said they are ready to enhance aspects requiring improvement, noting that minor oversights will be addressed in smaller, quarterly simulated practice exercises.

Allan Punay, CAAP-Dumaguete chief and airport manager, said full-scale emergency drills will be held every two years to guarantee public safety and maintain a disaster-resilient airport.

Punay stressed that regular drills are required to “internalize our response actions, response time, and coordination with other agencies.”

The mock drill scenario involved an Airbus 320 commercial flight catching fire while landing at the airport.

Around 150 participants from government agencies and the private sector took part, including 90 volunteers acting as injured passengers.

Participating agencies included the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, Coast Guard, Red Cross, and local disaster management offices. (PNA)