Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3 Macapagal airport new routes to be developed By Reynaldo G. Navales
CLARK ECOZONE -- The Clark International Airport Corporation (Ciac) has forged an agreement with Genesis Transport Service Incorporated (GTSI) for the development of routes between Manila, Bataan, Baguio City, Cabanatuan City, Aurora province and the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA).
Ciac president Victor Jose Luciano on Monday signed a contract with GTSI general manager Riza Moises for the new routes leading to the airport.
On February 22, Luciano signed agreements with Rico Villaluna, Philtranco officer-in-charge for operations; Dong Driza, Partas vice president for operations; Joel Arlegui, Triangle Phils president; and Romy Sayaman, president of Airport Shuttle Service Incorporated (Assi).
The signing of the contract with Genesis was witnessed by Ciac executive vice president Alexander Cauguiran, vice president for finance Romeo Dyoco, marketing manager Ritchie Nacpil and customer services assistant manager Riza Sison.
Genesis will initially field three bus units that will ply the routes Avenida-Clark and vice versa; Mariveles-City of San Fernando-Clark-Baguio City and vice versa; and Baler, Aurora-Cabanatuan City-Clark and vice versa.
The bus company's route to Aurora and Cabanatuan City will improve the route to Eastern Luzon, where most of the travelers originate.
The DMIA has been used as a jump-off point by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) not only from Central and Northern Luzon but also Metro Manila.
The three-year contract with Genesis is expected to improve services to travelers coming to and from DMIA.
Luciano said the entry of the transport firm "will further improve services to travelers particularly those residing in Manila, where the transport firms are located."
Most of the transport firms have stations in Cubao and Pasay City while Airport Shuttle operates a fleet of around 75 cars at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).
Luciano earlier urged several transport firms to develop a route to the eastern part of Luzon such as Isabela, Aurora, Tuguegarao and others because most of the travelers passing through DMIA are from the eastern and northern Luzon.
"We need a line in eastern Luzon," he said.
Triangle Phils has a fleet of five taxis while Airport Shuttle will initially bring five units to DMIA. Both taxi operators vowed to increase the number of their vehicles at the airport as number of passengers increase.
The DMIA at present recorded 126 flights per week -- 45 international flights, 21 domestic, and 60 international and domestic cargo flights.
