San Miguel Corp. sees its airport and aerocity project in Bulakan, Bulacan as sliver lining amid the challenges the country is facing because of the global pandemic.
“I want to emphasize to our countrymen that what we are building is more than just an international gateway with four runways, with an infrastructure network to connect it directly to Metro Manila and many other points in Luzon. The airport is just one component—what we’re building is the Philippines’ first truly green city of the future,” said SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang.
“We see this project as a silver lining amid all the difficulties we face today because of the pandemic. All Filipinos are looking forward to a future where COVID-19 is less of a threat to our lives and our economy. We want to see the positive developments that lie ahead for our country. I believe this is one of the best things we can look forward to with much hope and optimism,” he said.
Ang also touted the significant economic impact the project would have on the country and the Filipino people.
“Airport cities around the world generate a significant amount of jobs, and that is ultimately what we want to do. We need jobs and opportunities for our countrymen today, but more importantly, for the next generation in the coming years, especially since we are trying to recover from a pandemic,” Ang said.
“The jobs we will generate will not be limited to the airport city, or Bulacan province alone, but will extend to neighboring provinces, the rest of Luzon, and many other parts of the country which will benefit from increased tourism, increased investments because of better accessibility,” he said.
Palafox Associates was tapped by SMC to help master plan the airport plus city concept or “aerocity” development—where its massive, P740-billion airport project, the New Manila International Airport, will be located.
Urban planner and green architect Felino “Jun” Palafox Jr. envisions the Bulacan Aerocity development as the first model and pacesetter for future green and sustainable cities in the country.
Ang said that he and Palafox agreed to integrate best practices in green architecture, green urbanism and green urban planning to the Aerocity development, and avoid the mistakes that contributed to the problems of the country’s biggest cities today.
Ang said that apart from generating jobs, one of the most important considerations for the project is improving the environment, not just within and around the airport project, but throughout Bulacan province.
“From the very beginning, I promised Bulakenyos and all our stakeholders in government that the airport project and the aerocity development will have significant benefits for the province and the whole country. We will make sure to do everything right, because this is our biggest investment to date, and our legacy to the next generations,” Ang said.