Transport vans staying inside Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPIA) for extended periods to pick up passengers bound for El Nido and other tour destinations are the primary target of the 2025 Access and Vehicle Pass policy, which will be strictly enforced starting January 1.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Phillippibes (CAAP) Area IV Puerto Princesa International Airport announced the policy in a public notice, mandating businesses conducting activities within the airport premises—such as tourist transport operators, travel agencies, accommodations, car rentals, and cargo forwarders—to secure valid access and vehicle passes to enter the facility.
“No access pass, no entry,” the notice emphasized, stating that access to the airport will be strictly limited to pass holders. Those without the required passes will be denied entry without exception.
CAAP Area IV Manager Nick Rascal explaibed that the move aims to ensure better monitoring and control of personnel and vehicles accessing the airport. He said the authority to impose the policy is derived from provisions within Republic Act No. 9497, known as the Civil Aviation Authority Act of 2008.
“Wala kaming pinagbabawal na pumasok sa airport para mag-sundo. Ang no access, no entry, para yan sa mga transport van, sa mga shuttle van na pumipick-up ng pasahero at dinadala sa El Nido,” Rascal said.
“Sa mga travel agencies naman, dapat kumuha sila ng shuttle van na may access pass rin. Ang nangyayari kasi minsan ginagamit din sila. Pero hindi kami mahigpit sa mga private na may susunduin. Hindi kailangan ng pass ng private vehicles, it’s only the transport vans for security reasons,” he added.
The transport vans picking up tourists at the airport have been the subject of complaints due to several issues, including prolonged parking within airport premises, causing congestion and disrupting the flow of vehicles.
In addition, he said some operators have been accused of failing to adhere to designated pickup points, leading to confusion among passengers and other transport services.
Concerns about the lack of proper monitoring and security measures for these vans have also been raised, he said, prompting them to impose stricter regulations to address these challenges and ensure smoother airport operations.
To accommodate those applying for passes, CAAP will grant a one-year access to drivers or applicants who have met the requirements. Among others, these are negative drug test from a reputable testing center, clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and official receipt and certificate of registration (OR/CR) of the vehicle.
The NBI clearance is required to prove that the applicant has no criminal record, is a law-abiding citizen, and has been cleared to ensure their eligibility for employment, travel, or other official purposes.
“Alam natin na tayo ay one of the largest tourist destinations, kailangan merong negative drug test result ang driver para maiwasan din ang aksidente. This is to help our tourism industry also,” Rascal stressed.
Rascal warned that tampering with or altering the official receipt will result in the immediate invalidation of temporary access.
The airport authority has called on all stakeholders to comply with the policy, underscoring its importance in maintaining the safety and security of the airport.
For more information or guidance on the application process, CAAP encourages affected parties to contact their office at (048) 433-4965 or via email at [email protected].
