CLARK, Pampanga — Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade said he expects a second runway to be built at the Clark International Airport before President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s term ends in 2022.
“Ngayon, parating na ’yung pasahero na lumalapag kaya kailangan maglagay ng second runway (Now that the airline passengers are already arriving, we need to put up a second runway),” Mr. Tugade said in a press briefing during the site inspection of the Clark airport expansion on Wednesday.
The tandem of Megawide Construction Corp. and GMR Infrastructure Ltd. is currently constructing a new passenger terminal building, which is expected to be completed by mid-2020. The new terminal was designed by France’s Aeroport de Paris.
“Doon sa plano ng Aeroport de Paris, hindi limited sa second runway. Tatlong runway ang provision doon. Hindi malayo na pag naging positive at successful tayo sa hangarin magtayo ng second runway, baka bago matapos iyan, planuhin na natin ’yung third runway (Aeroport de Paris’ plan is not limited to a second runway. It can accommodate a third runway. If we are successful in building a second runway, even before it is finished, we can start planning for a third runway),” Mr. Tugade said.
Envisioned as the gateway to Central Luzon, Clark airport is also seen to ease congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
According to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), the passenger terminal building is now 53% complete, and is ahead of the target.
BCDA Special Bids and Awards Committee (SBAC) Chairperson Joshua M. Bingcang said Clark airport, according to Aeroport de Paris, can be expanded to handle up to 80 million annual passengers.
“(The plan) has room for two more international runways and three more additional terminals to reach the 80 million passenger target,” Mr. Bingcang said during the briefing.
Sought for comment, Jason Torres, Megawide Assistant Vice-President and Head of Group Corporate Affairs said that GMR-Megawide is not in charge of constructing the second runway which would have to undergo bidding first. — Reicelene Joy N. Ignacio
