Airport Execs, Bizmen Cite Need for Transport Infra in Clark

Clark Airport, Pampanga — Airport officials and businessmen here have cited the need to build a mass transport railway system in consonance with the plan of the Duterte administration for the full utilization of the Clark International Airport.

Dr. Ireneo “Bong” Alvaro, who works as consultant at the BB International Leisure and Resort Development Corporation, lauded President Rodrigo Duterte for recognizing the need to utilize the Clark Airport during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) Monday.

“Kudos to President Duterte. It’s about time. Manila has reached its peak, it is saturated, we must decongest it as soon as possible as things are going out of the hand,” he said.

Alvaro, however, said that if the national government is to really develop the Clark International Airport, then transport infrastructure is a must.

“We now need national government support, especially the long-awaited railway system to catch up with the coming change,” he said.

He said transferring some flights and business activities in Clark is not a disservice to Metro Manila, but instead is a most needed help.

“The sanest move is to transfer some flights and activities at Clark. The Clark Airport has now a four-million passenger capacity. We are only using 800,000 to one million. Clark is ready,” he said.

He, however, expressed belief that the transition will not be easy.

“But with the region’s resolute and resourcefulness as exhibited during the grandslam of disasters after the Pinatubo eruption, what more hardships and challenges can we not overcome?” Alvaro pointed out.

He also cited the added convenience for overseas Filipino workers as great number comes from Central and Northern Luzon.

Alex Cauguiran, former vice president of Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) and now chief of staff of Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, said the country now has a President with foresight and political will to address the issue and carry out solutions to the aviation problems both for NAIA and Clark airports.

“We are very grateful about President Duterte’s SONA about Clark airport development by utilizing it as part of dual airport policy. What the President said is included in our Clark-NAIA dual airport policy advocacy,” he said.

Cauguiran said their policy includes the transfer of domestic and international flights to Clark, the building of a fast railway system connecting Metro Manila to Clark and a one-stop shop for OFWs inside Clark.

“More flights means more passengers to fly in Clark, more carriers, and more revenues for Clark airport,” he said.

He also said that NAIA will be decongested with the transfer of flights to Clark.

“Hopefully, there will be no more holding pattern in the air for arriving flights and lesser waiting time for departing flights that would result in passengers’ convenience and improve efficiency and less manpower losses both for passengers and airlines operations as well,” he said.

He also foresees possible additional tourists arrival in Clark, boosting local and regional economy that could contribute to the national economy.

Cauguiran also said the development of the Clark airport will address the safety issues brought about by congestion at NAIA, avoid possible collisions and other accidents in the singular runway of NAIA or in any part of its aviation complex brought about by excess capacity of aircraft over its design capacity.

“It will help in the diversion of economic development in the region not only in imperial Manila and also help in the declogging land and vehicular traffic,” he said.

He, however, said that the building of rail system is really needed.

“A mass transport system that is fast and efficient is needed by our country and our region in particular. Most of our neighboring countries in ASEAN and other Asian countries not to mention first world countries in North America and Europe have these in operation decades or centuries ago. We are left out. With this, transport of people will be faster and more economical and will be growth oriented,” he said.

“OFWs from our region and North Luzon need not go to Manila to follow up and process documents by national agencies of government if we have one stop shop in Clark. It will save time and resources for our OFWs and their families. We owe these fast and efficient services to our OFWs who are serving our country well through their dollar remittances that greatly help our economy,” he added.

Likewise, CIAC president and CEO Emigdio Tanjuatco III described President Duterte’s declaration to utilize the Clark International Airport for domestic and international flights as a “welcome development.”

“We have been longing for the development of Clark Airport a long time ago and hoping that it will be given attention by the national government. This is a way to attract other airlines to use Clark airport and that is the direction of the government for the aviation,” Tanjuatco said.

He is also pushing for a dual airport system where both the Clark and the NAIA can co-exist to cater to the needs of the passengers in both airports.

He said that Clark airport will cater to passengers from the Central and North Luzon area while the NAIA can service passengers from the Southern area of Luzon.

He also said the Clark airport will play a vital role in the government’s effort to decongest Metro Manila, particularly the NAIA.

Tanjuatco has earlier said that “Clark can accept a well-planned and coordinated flights” since Clark airport has a limited capacity and infrastructure at the moment.

“Not all of the flights at NAIA can be accommodated at Clark airport due to the fact that Clark has a limited capacity and infrastructure,” he pointed out.

He, however, said that CIAC has already made some programs for the development of Clark airport that include the upgrading of its services and facilities.

The services include ground handlers, security, and airport infrastructures. (PNA) LAP/ZST/MDDR/PS