PAMPANGA 1st District Representative Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin III said on Friday, May 10, that the P2.9-billion Clark airport terminal is a share-based project.
Lazatin issued the statement at the Capampangan in Media Incporated (Cami) forum on Friday in reaction to a statement by his opponent in the congressional race, former Congressman Joseller “Yeng” Guiao, who disclosed that he initiated the said funding in Congress.
The funds for the Clark airport terminal were “obligated” in 2016 with the help of Pampanga 2nd District Representative and former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
“Yung sinasabi niyang P2.9-billion project, this is a share-based project. So kung makikita during his time and the former president, hindi nila in-obligate yung pera. So it was 2016 December, through the help of Madam GMA (Arroyo) na obligate yung pera,” Lazatin said.
During that time, the Clark International Airport became a “ghost town” because of the pullout of airlines including their respective domestic and international flights, the solon claimed.
Lazatin said the development of Clark airport was not prioritized during that time.
“Yun ang time na makikita natin na ang Clark airport is a ghost town. Halos wala yung mga budget flights natin. Majority ng mga international flights at domestic flights halos nawala,” Lazatin said.
Lazatin said the development of Clark airport was not prioritized during the time of the former president.
“So hindi nila pinrioritize ang Clark nung time ng former president,” he said.
Aside from the airport, Guiao said he also worked on the realization of the sports complex in Clark and the train system that will link Clark with Metro Manila.
But Lazatin said that sports complex in Clark New City was implemented through a resolution passed by the House of the Representatives or Congress.
“Naging resolution ng Congress iyan, syempre ako member ako ng House Committee on Sports Development. Na-initiate po nila na dito ilalagay ang sports complex to make it ready for the South East Asian Games. Kaya kung titignan, wala siyang kinalaman doon sa development ng sports complex sa Clark na initiated by Congress,” the reelectionist solon added.
With regards to the railway system, Lazatin said the project was proposed during the time of President Fidel V. Ramos.
“So hanggang ngayon pinu-push talaga ang train system na gusto nilang ipatupad actually for the whole Central Luzon, Lazatin added.
The railway project is one of President Duterte's priorities under his Build Build Build infrastructure program.
“Si Mr. President dahil priority niya yung train system, actually nasimulan na. Kasi hindi naman magagawa ng isang tao kung ayaw ng Presidente. Lahat, mapa Clark, mapa sports complex, mapa train system natin. Hindi lang isang tao ang may gusto. Importante gusto ng Presidente, kasi hindi mangyayari lahat ng ito kung hindi gusto ng ating Presidente,” Lazatin said.