The fearless captain

“ With Capt. Sydiongco at its helm, the CAAP has completed 13 airport projects, with 36 more ongoing.

After years spent in public service, I have come to realize that workdays are not always going to be a peach. There have been instances where I let my fears get the best of me due to the pressure of a difficult task or a rush assignment. It has not been easy, and many times I had to muster the strength to hark on inspirations, so that I could keep on soldiering on.

Thankfully, I was able to meet someone who personifies a “no fear” mentality at work. That man is Capt. Jim Sydiongco, the current director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). Capt. Sydiongco has over 20 years of experience with Philippine Airlines, 15 years with EVA Airways Corporation, and three years as vice president for Flight Operations Department of Cebu Pacific Air.

During one of our meetings, I was able to ask him what was the biggest challenge he faced when he was a pilot. As he was a well-respected airline captain, I knew that I would be at the receiving end of a great story.

Capt. Sydiongco recalled an experience where he, together with two other captains, faced very bad weather and engine system problem flying an executive plane. He remembered the gripping fear. But despite that, he remained focused inside the cockpit.

I asked Capt. Jim what he felt at those moments that he was doing all he can to steer the plane to safety. His reply to me was simple: fear should be contained in your line of profession, as lives are in your hands. Only when the good captain went home did his hands and knees shake, and he prayed for his own peace of mind.

After hearing his remarkable story, I began to realize that he applied the same resolve he had in the cockpit years ago to the current management of CAAP.

With Capt. Sydiongco at its helm, the CAAP has completed 13 airport projects, with 36 more ongoing. Notable airport projects under CAAP’s belt include the Bohol-Panglao International Airport, the new Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) of the Puerto Princesa International Airport, the rehabilitated and expanded PTB in the airports of Tuguegarao, Tacloban, San Vicente and Virac, and the overall development of the Marinduque and Ormoc airports.

Along with improvements of airports nationwide, four more Philippine gateways made it to the top 25 best airports in Asia for 2017, namely, the international airports of Iloilo, Davao, Mactan-Cebu, and Clark.

We also have a new Communications, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management system that fully covers our country’s airspace; and the night-rating of 21 commercial airports, with 15 more slated by the end of 2022. Additionally, eight airports received a one-star rating for On-Time Performance from the Official Aviation Guide.

Under Capt. Sydiongco’s leadership, CAAP remitted P6.2 billion in dividends to the national government, and was recognized as one of the biggest dividend contributors for 2017.

Giving back to air passengers, students can now also enjoy waived terminal fees at all CAAP-owned and operated airports.

All these achievements accomplished by CAAP hark back to the determination and focus Capt. Sydiongco displayed in his early days as a pilot.

His fearlessness is resonated by the men and women of CAAP as they perform their duties in the name of public service to the Filipino people.

Our skies and airports are safe and secure under the watchful eyes of CAAP and its captain, Jim Sydiongco!