TWINNING CLARK. The most recent move is for Clark to really twin up with Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). It’s going to be complementary, in short.
Regardless now whether it is twinning, priming (as main gateway), alternating (to NAIA), Clark is staring us all in the eye that it has reached its full potential as a major airport. And soon enough, its capacity will be saturated.
Soon enough too, it is going to need a bigger passenger terminal for all the new airlines that are coming in. We already hear stories about passengers of budget airlines seating on hallway floors while waiting for their flights. We don’t blame anyone here for that situation.
What has to be reckoned with is the fact that it needs a new and bigger terminal which CIAC President Chichos Luciano has been pushing for. While it is lamentable (if not regrettable) that a huge investor in Manny V. Pangilinan had already set his sights on another airport (after expressing major interest in Clark) like the Mactan in Cebu (where newspaper reports have it that he is partnering with the Gokongweis for the Cebu airport initiative), Clark has to be made ready for the influx of more airlines and passengers.
Remember that Emirates is starting its Dubai flights by October this year. And that would serve tens of thousands of OFWs from the Middle East.
I could not agree any better with Clark locators who say that some major opportunities and business potentials are lost with each day that our policy makers get indecisive on the future of Clark (similar to what former Clark Investors and Locators Association president Jeff Pradhan has stated two weeks ago).
I could only feel for Mr. Luciano and the rest of Clark executives who bring in the flights and airlines. Luciano toils the ground hard to bring about good results. And his hard work (from the time he first convinced Asiana Airlines in 2004) has brought some harvests for Clark and the Philippines.
I hope he doesn’t go weary, no matter how hard and arid the ground could get.
PLAYING SAFE GUIAO. Asked whether he would push for a congressional act that would finally and legitimately attach the name Diosdado Macapagal International Airport to the 2,500-hectare aviation complex in Clark, first district congressional bet Yeng Guiao said there is no longer a need to do that.
Instead, he will be pushing for the conversion of Clark Development Corporation into an Authority (ala Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority) where the government corporation would wield more autonomy and power in managing Clark Freeport. Remarkable move there if and when he gets elected.
He also said that he could also push for the renaming of Clark Freeport into Corazon Aquino Freeport. He sees this to be more appropriate rather than having the former base named after a GI Joe.
It is common knowledge that the Vice Governor Yeng’s late father – the former Governor Bren Guaio was a close ally and friend of the late president Corazon Aquino. Thus, I think Guiao chose not to expound anymore on the issue of the name of the Clark airport which was first renamed to DMIA in 2001 (by virtue of a resolution of CDC Board). That move fell short of legislation and I really don’t see anyone brave enough these days to seal that.
rULULATING CASTRO. He shouts in his speeches to no end. Yes, I’m a bit startled as to why first-termer Mabalacat Vice Mayor Noelito Castro, now running for mayor, has to shout at the top of his voice?
Tuesday night when he had the so-called “meeting” or “caucus” (which is really a form of campaigning already) about 700 meters from our house, I could not help but notice his fiery speech while I tried to watch TV.
Disturbed and annoyed as I was, I could not describe too if he was crying, lamenting, quarreling, begging, pleading, howling and all. I guess this is the best manifestation of ululation (first used by mentor Bong Lacson in another newspaper) where an intense expression of thoughts and feelings are made through speeches that are supposed to be convincing. And yes, vote winning.
But did that style win hearts or votes? People I talked to that night were likewise annoyed.
CONGRATULATIONS. Holy Family Academy in Angeles, I was told, was the third place overall in the 3rd Write Tool National Summit and Young Leaders Congress held at De La Salle University Manila last Feb 26-28.
HFA went head on with various top schools in the Philippines and emerged with the third plum. Not bad at all for an Angeles City based school that produced some of the country’s best, brightest, outstanding individuals in various fields.
Congratulations too to my daughter Allysa Anne who surprised us with her bronze medal in Photojournalism category. Bespectacled but lovely, petite but charming, silent but accomplishing, I did not know she could follow my footsteps in mass communication. Well done!