Sunday, December 23, 2007 Korean firm prepares $2M Clark airport master plan By Reynaldo G. Navales
THE Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) will prepare the Master Plan for the "wholistic" development of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) under a $2 million technical grant.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, representing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has witnessed the signing of the Records of Discussions between Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) President and CEO Victor Jose Luciano and Mr. Kim In, resident representative of KOICA in Malacanang on Monday.
Under the agreement, KOICA will provide a technical grant aid equivalent to $2 million, which shall include feasibility studies on Phase I of the DMIA Master Plan; Logistics Facilities; Runway Extension; Ground Transport Center and the International Gateway Terminal.
The project aims to contribute to the development of the DMIA and improve airport-related technology in the Philippines through technology transfer of Korea 's airport development expertise. At the same time, this will strengthen the relationship and cooperation between the two countries through the successful implementation of the project.
Luciano said the project could not have come at a better time as next year when the Philippines will be a signatory to the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) plus Three "Single Skies" policy that would open a potential market of at least 500 million passengers annually.
"This project, along with the expansion of the DMIA passenger terminal to 10 million annual capacity, is in preparation for the full liberalization of air travel in the region by December 2008."
It was reported that transport officials of the 10 Asean countries have already finalized its plan for the implementation of a roadmap that will allow regional airlines to operate unlimited services on routes between major cities in 2008.
President Arroyo had envisioned DMIA to be the country's premier international gateway and a globally competitive mega logistics and services hub in Asia-Pacific.
