CLARK FREEPORT -- Former Pampanga representative Joseller Guiao said he is proud of his contribution to the development of Clark, including infrastructure projects like the airport, railway system, and sports complex.
Guiao, who is running again for congressman in the first district, told the Capampangan In Media Incorporated (Cami) members Friday, May 3, that he worked for the development of Clark International Airport during his term as the district's representative.
"Number one, I came to the Congress during my term with a clear purpose, with a clear direction that is to advocate for the advancement, progress, and expansion of the Clark airport and its environs which include Angeles City, Mabalacat City and Magalang town," Guiao said.
He cited one of the major achievements of Clark, which is the construction of the P2.9-billion airport passenger terminal.
"So far, we have achieved major successes. One is right now, we are already building the terminal, which funding I have initiated. That is P2.9 billion and it is already under construction," Guiao said.
He said there are many obstacles prior to the project implementation.
"There are a lot of road blocks we had encountered and we have to justify the terminal itself because at that time, the original terminal had a capacity of 4 million passengers per year and we were only using one fourth of its capacity. We were only at 1 million," Guiao said.
The logical question from the House Committee on Appropriations, National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), and House Committee on Budget was "why are you building another terminal when you're only using one fourth of your capacity?" he added.
"So that was the first obstacle, and if your congressman cannot justify that, you cannot get the funding. So we overcame that obstacle," Guiao said.
The second accomplishment Guiao cited is the railway system that will connect Clark to Metro Manila.
"Number 2, the train system that we have for so long been pushing for is also being built already in Tutuban, then it will have a major stop in Malolos and after Malolos it will go to Clark," he said.
Originally, the plan of the railway is only up to Malolos, according to Guiao.
"I think everybody should know that originally, the plan was only up to Malolos. But we lobbied in the Congress for that train to go on to Clark. We have lobbied for it successfully and it will reach Clark in two years’ time," he said.
The third major achievement Guiao mentioned is the construction of a sports complex in Clark.
"And then third is our advocacy that Clark will be the country's sports center. The South East Asian Games will be hosted here in Clark," he said.
The sports facilities were not built exactly within Angeles and Mabalacat, but Guiao said he considers this as a victory.
"I still consider that as a victory as the [main] zone of Clark is already fully utilized so the best place to put those facilities will be in the areas that are underutilized and where we want the next wave of progress to happen," he said.