Clark officials await fund for new airport terminal

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga  – Officials of the Clark International Airport are hoping that President Aquino will mention in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) the release of the initial P1.2 billion for the construction of a P12-billion airport terminal here.

Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) president and chief executive officer Emigdio Tanjuatco said Aquino and the members of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) board failed to meet last June 30, supposedly to discuss the release of initial funds for the project.

The P1.2 billion has passed the scrutiny of NEDA’s Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) and the Cabinet Cluster on Transportation and Communications.

Pampanga Rep. Joseller Guiao said Aquino’s approval is the last step needed before the project could be bid out.

Tanjuatco said he is optimistic that Aquino would convene the NEDA board, approve the project and cite it as among his accomplishments during his SONA this month.

He slammed allegations that the Aquino administration has neglected the Clark airport and the rest of Pampanga, home province of former President  Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“The Aquino administration has funneled funds for the Clark airport. It allocated P270 million for the procurement of two fire trucks and the hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, and another P500 million for the expansion of the airport passenger terminal,” he said.

If implemented, the new terminal can handle as much as 13 million passengers annually and will address congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.