Senator Rafael T. Tulfo has raised concerns about the risks of pigeon racing and bird strikes to the aviation industry as birds' migration season approaches. He sounded the alarm on the risks of bird strikes on flights, especially in airports located near wildlife parks.
The Philippines recorded 953 bird strikes in 2025, a stark reminder of the dangers that birds pose to aircraft. Senator Tulfo emphasized that some of the reasons for these bird strikes are literally right beside our airports.
Several Philippine airports face the East-Australasian flyway, one of the world's heavily trafficked migratory corridors for birds. This includes the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) which is 2 to 3 kilometers away from the Las Piñas Parañaque Wetland Park where 5,000 birds pass through daily.
Senator Tulfo also cited the Clark International Airport beside the Candaba Swamp, and the Mactan Cebu International Airport which is also close to the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary. He mentioned the deadly Jeju Air crash in 2024, which was triggered by a bird strike that damaged one engine.
Furthermore, Senator Tulfo raised concerns about the conduct of pigeon racing events near NAIA. He noted that these events are not required to coordinate with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines or traffic control before securing an animal event clearance.
The Interior and Local Government has announced plans to release a memorandum circular from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines prohibiting drone flying and pigeon racing near airports.
