CLARK FREEPORT -- The second runway of the Clark International Airport (CRK) is already decommissioned.
This was confirmed by Bases Conversion and Development Authority President and Chief Executive Officer Vince Dizon during a meeting with members of the Pampanga Press Club (PPC) at Widus Hotel on Wednesday.
Dizon said the location of the second runway is also the site of the proposed new passenger terminal with an annual capacity of eight million passengers based on the master plan prepared by the Aeroports de Paris (ADPI).
Clark airport has two 3,200-meter parallel runways, one of which is extendable to 4,000 meters which can accommodate new generation wide-bodied aircraft.
The 60-meter primary runway, which is equipped with various navigational aids and lighting facilities, has a Category 1 rating for precision approach.
The decommissioned secondary runway on the other hand has the same length as the primary runway and a width of 45 meters was used for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) only.
Dizon earlier said the government, under the Duterte administration, will pursue the original master plan for Clark airport an annual capacity of 8 million passengers.
Some P15-billion was earmarked for the full development of Clark airport which is eyed as the country’s premier gateway.
The airport master plan was prepared by the Aeroports de Paris (ADPI) in 2012 and was transmitted to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) in 2013, according to BCDA chief.
However, then President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino disapproved the plan saying it is too big, according to Dizon. “Ang sabi ni former President Aquino, masyadong malaki [ang] eight million [passengers annually], gawin nating three million.”
The purpose of the airport is “to build for future capacity and not for present capacity.”
“I’m happy to announce to you today that we are going back to the eight-million-passenger per year plan of Aeroports de Paris. It’s 82,000 square meters, it’s a new terminal. And the target for this, nag-usap na kami ni Secretary Tugade because this is a DoTr project and BCDA is there to support this fully, is third quarter awarded na ito so ground breaking tayo ng fourth quarter or early next year,” Dizon said.
The BCDA, together with the DoTr and Neda, are conducting an initial study and revalidation on the mode of funding – Private Public Partnership (PPP) or government funded, the BCDA head said.
After this process, Dizon said the DoTR will proceed to the bidding out of the project. “Yun na lang ang pinag-uusapan ngayon so before mid-year, mga May bidding na tayo, whatever form September awarded tayo dito so game changer ito, ang Clark airport.”
The project is expected to be completed during the half of Duterte’s term in 2019, Dizon said.