Will Clark airport fly higher?

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III in his State of the Nation Address enumerated the upgrading of many airports in the country, and nothing was mentioned about Diosdado Macapagal International Airport.

It doesn't mean though that the master planning of the international gateway will be shelved. It doesn't mean that the expansion of the budget terminal will not push through, said my sources from the Clark International Airport Corporation.

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Many are asking why there are passenger tubes at the DMIA and are not being utilized. In any airport anywhere in the world, budget carriers don't use them because they have to pay extra fee. You might ask why they are there in the first place. Those are for the use of wide bodied aircrafts of flag carriers. Without them no flag carriers will fly in.

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The Floreses of Macabebe extended their political Influence outside the boundary of the town. They have a strong of Macabebe with Mayor Annete Flores Balgan, sister of ex-Mayor Bobong and Masantol Mayor Peter. Mayor Annete, I've heard will run unopposed. Meanwhile, Mayor Peter, who finished his last term, will field a son. The Lacapa must be shaking their heads.

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Mayor Arturo 'Katoy' Naguit will face a tough challenge from come backing ex-Mayor Edgar Flores. The latter already resigned his directorship from the Northrail Inc. He is also banking on the support of present administration. Another Naguit, the mayor of Sto. Tomas, will equally face a strong challenger in his vice mayor, Ninang Ronquillo.

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They address Vice Governor Yeng Guiao now CCC. It means champion coach congressman. By this time, the whole of second congressional district knows that Yeng is eyeing the congressional seat. And has been making the rounds. So last Monday, the members of the 20-year-old fellowship were able to break bread and shout cheers with Yeng. I think he got some votes there.

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I remember the late Emilio Aguilar Cruz aka Tang Abe used to make visit to Angeles, and usually took his lunch at the house of his best friends, the late Renato 'Katoks' Tayag. Tang Abe, a native of Magalang, was editor of the defunct Daily Mirror. Dining and discovering restaurants that serve good yet inexpensive food. If he were alive today, he would take him more time in discovering such restos in Angeles City. One of them is Picolo Padre, an Italian restaurant along the perimeter road. More can be found along peripherals of Fields Avenue.

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Will the regional office of the Department of Public Works consider overlaying with asphalt the FVR mega dike road. And for the moment, maybe it can cover the potholes. It is quite dangerous driving on that road. An accident is waiting to happen.

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Concerns of Pampango residents: senior citizens who love to go to cockpits are calling the attention of ex-Councilor Mario Garcia of the city of San Fernando why the haters are not honoring their senior citizen cards that will entitle them 20 percent discount....Residents of Tokwing in Porac town are asking why there is constant water service interruption....Motorists are complaining why passenger vehicles are making terminals of main roads. Subjects of complaints are the first street in Angeles city and under the flyover in Sindalan, San Fernando.

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Congratulations to President Victor Jose "Chichos" I. Luciano for garnering an award for Clark International Airport as the third best airport in the world. It was Dubai International Airport and Tangiers International Airport placing first and second, respectively. I remember when we first named directors of Clark International Airport Corp. in 2001 and there were no flights to speak of at the time.

I cannot understand why certain sectors will still throw some flak towards Chichos despite all the efforts he poured in for the improvements he initiated under his watch. It's a good thing Chichos is a very passive fellow who takes things in stride and with a grain of salt.

Mabuhay ka Chichos, Mabuhay ang Clark International Airport!