CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) fully supports the plan of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to optimize, through upgrades, the existing Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) while redeveloping the Clark International Airport (CIA).
“We back the decision of DoTr to maintain and upgrade NAIA, a valuable state asset. Upgrading the existing NAIA facilities now will provide early and welcome relief to the present problem of severe passenger and aircraft traffic congestion at a time well within the term of the current administration. Pending completion of the upgrades, one quick way of mitigating the congestion in NAIA is to make Clark attractive as an alternate departure and arrival airport through appropriate inducements,” the MAP statement read.
“A fast train between Tutuban and Clark has been presented as part of the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program under Dutertenomics. This is the second important component of the proposed aviation system, next to the two air gateways (i.e., NAIA and Clark). A fast train link between the two airports, passing through the metropolis at a travel time of one hour maximum, will enable Clark to augment NAIA’s operations while it, at the same time, serves the needs of air travelers to and from Central and Northern Luzon,” the MAP said, adding “for better connectivity and convenience of the traveling public, we suggest that the proposed fast train to Clark be extended to NAIA, instead of terminating at Tutuban, Manila.”
The MAP recommends the setting up of transport connection from the check-in stations to NAIA and to Clark via point-to-point (P2P) airport limousine service using modern tourist-type buses that can quickly negotiate the distance.
“Finally, a centralized management of the entire aviation system under a single authority would appear to be a preferable organizational structure for expeditious decision-making, better control, and efficient coordination. This does not preclude the setting up of a separate managing board for each facility under the supervision of the centralized authority. Also, the outsourcing of operation and maintenance (O&M) of each facility using the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode is an option. Such outsourcing of O&M would enable the government to avail of private sector expertise, technology, and incentive system for efficient O&M of the facilities without giving up ownership and control of strategic capital assets for aviation,” the MAP said. (JTD)