A THIRD aviation gateway in Bulacan—as proposed by conglomerate San Miguel Corp. —may be the “optimal solution” to the growing congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, a member of Congress said Sunday.
“Besides Clark International Airport in Pampanga, a second alternate gateway in Bulacan would go a long way in easing the aircraft and passenger traffic buildup at the Naia,” said Rep. Aniceto Bertiz III.
The National Economic Development Authority Board in April approved SMC’s “Unsolicited Proposal for the P736-billion Bulacan International Airport Project, with the confirmation subject to final review of the concession agreement.”
A large number of overseas Filipino workers were stranded when dozens of flights were either canceled, delayed or redirected due to the Aug. 17 Naia runway excursion of a Xiamen Air jet.
The chaos caused by the 36-hour shutdown of Naia’s main runway lasted for three days, as carriers scrambled to bring in previously rerouted flights right after the airstrip was reopened.
Bertiz welcomed the P5,000 cash grant that the Department of Foreign Affairs provided to every OFW stuck at the Naia at the height of the disorder.
“The cash subsidy was made possible after Congress approved President Duterte’s request to increase the DFA’s Assistance to Nationals Fund from P400 million to P1 billion for 2018,” Bertiz, House appropriations committee member, said.
The ATN fund is meant to aid distressed Filipinos overseas.
Affected OFWs who managed to fly out of the country may claim the cash assistance at any Philippine Embassy or consulate general until Sept. 30, while those still in Manila may get the money from the DFA head office until Aug. 31.
Many OFWs failed to report back to their jobs on time when their flights were called off, according to Bertiz.
Bertiz said the House transportation committee chaired by Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento has tentatively scheduled a Sept. 5 hearing on the Naia accident and the readiness of airport authorities to deal with similar emergencies in the future.
Meantime, in Bohol, new airport is set to be inaugurated in October, the Department of Transportation said.
The New Bohol (Panglao) Airport is 92.14-percent complete as of July 31, which is ahead of its 2021 target., DoTr said.
The construction started in June 2015 but accumulated up to 48 percent of slippage due to delays.
“We needed a catch-up plan for the Panglao airport. The 2021 target is just too long. How can you explain to the people that it took you six years to build an airport? Kinailangan po nating habulin at iyon po ang ginawa natin (We need to fast-track this and we have done it), DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said in a statement Sunday.
Tugade along with airport officials recently inspected the ongoing construction works from the runway to the passenger terminal, perimeter fence, and the sewerage treatment system to ensure the completion of the project.
Since the new administration took over in July 2016, Tugade ordered a 24/7 construction schedule to fast-track completion of the airport. The construction has seen a significant increase from the previous 6.48 percent completion recorded from June 22, 2015 to June 30, 2016.
The percentage completion jumped to 85.66 percent in two years.
The Panglao Airport will be the country’s first eco-airport as it will use natural ventilation while solar panels will be installed on the roof of its passenger terminal building which will cover around one-third of the airport’s passenger terminal building energy requirement.
The airport is seen to boost tourist arrivals in Bohol as it is projected to accommodate two million passengers, more than double the capacity of the Tagbilaran airport.