THE Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) remitted at least P130 million to the Bureau of Treasury on Thursday, April 2, to help boost the government’s efforts at containing the fast-spreading and deadly Covid-19.

Joshua Bingcang, CIAC officer-in-charge, said the amount of P130,535,077.59, representing payment of dividends due from CIAC, was remitted to the Bureau of Treasury on April 2.

“This is CIAC’s response to the call of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade who directed DOTr-attached agencies to advance dividends to the Department of Finance to support government’s spending measures to contain the Covid-19 pandemic as part of the implementation of RA 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act,” Bingcang said.

Early last week, three other agencies attached to DOTr remitted over P10 billion in dividends to the National Treasury.

The Philippine Ports Authority remitted over P4 billion while the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the Manila International Airport Authority remitted P3 billion each.

Citing an “invisible but very dangerous enemy,” Tugade in a statement said the DOTr is “throwing its support to this effort and to make sure that we, as a country, (will) survive to see victory in this war.”

Tugade convened a meeting of the DOTr’s Aviation Sector last week to map out contingency efforts in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Aviation sector officials did a scenario analysis during the meeting to ensure DOTr’s readiness in the event of worst-case situations, giving rise to stoppage of airline operations and closure of airports. (PR)