P308-M DMIA terminal now fully-operational

By George Trillo

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga — Finally, after a long wait for the completion of the P308-million Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, its Terminal 1 expansion building is now fully-operational for both domestic and international flights.

Former President Arroyo recently inaugurated the newly-constructed DMIA Terminal 1 expansion building, which is expected to accommodate an additional 500,000 travelers a year; and become a major gateway for tourism and trade in the country.

Arroyo, who was welcomed by officials led by Clark International Airport Corp. chairman Nestor Mangio, also led the groundbreaking of California based-VIP Jet Asia at the Aviation Complex, here.

Other officials who attended one of Arroyo’s final official functions were Pampanga 1st District Rep. Carmelo Lazatin; Angeles City Mayor Eduardo Pamintuan, Mabalacat Mayor Marino Morales; Land Transportation Office Region 3 director Oliver Macaspac and other officials.

Mangio said the DMIA Terminal 1 Expansion will be operated and managed by the CIAC and is expected to increase passenger transit from two million to seven million a year.

“This will be one of the most important legacies of our President (Arroyo). It took a lot of political will to have this expansion of the DMIA in order to boost its operations into a premier gateway to the country and a world-class airport that all Filipinos can be proud of,” said Mangio.