CONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has proposed to develop a third aviation gateway in Bulacan as an optimal solution” to the growing congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), a member of Congress said Sunday.
“Besides Clark International Airport in Pampanga, a second alternate gateway in Bulacan would go a long way in easing the aircraft and passenger traffic buildup at the NAIA,” said ACTS-OFW Representative Aniceto Bertiz III.
The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Board in April approved SMC’s “Unsolicited Proposal for the P736-billion Bulacan International Airport Project, with the confirmation subject to final review of the concession agreement.”
A large number of departing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were stranded when dozens of flights were either cancelled, delayed or redirected due to the August 17 NAIA runway excursion of a Xiamen Air jet.
The chaos caused by the 36-hour shutdown of NAIA’s main runway lasted for three days, as carriers scrambled to bring in previously rerouted flights right after the airstrip was reopened.
Bertiz welcomed the P5,000 cash grant that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) provided to every OFW stuck at the NAIA at the height of the disorder.
“The cash subsidy was made possible after Congress approved President Duterte’s request to increase the DFA’s Assistance to Nationals (ATN) Fund from P400 million to P1 billion for 2018,” Bertiz, House appropriations committee member, said.
The ATN fund is meant to aid distressed Filipinos overseas.
Affected OFWs who managed to fly out of the country may claim the cash assistance at any Philippine embassy or consulate general until Sept. 30, while those still in Manila may get the money from the DFA head office until August 31.
Many OFWs failed to report back to their jobs on time when their flights were called off, according to Bertiz.
“We understand the DFA has directed all diplomatic posts abroad to perform all the necessary representations with foreign employers, and to issue all the required certifications, to explain the absences or tardiness of the affected OFWs,” Bertiz said.
Some 6,000 Filipinos leave the country every day for jobs abroad, and the bulk of them fly out of NAIA, the lawmaker said.
Bertiz said the House transportation committee chaired by Catanduanes Representative Cesar Sarmiento has tentatively scheduled a September 5 hearing on the NAIA mess and the readiness of airport authorities to deal with similar emergencies in the future. (PR)