Reynaldo G. Navales
ANGELES CITY -- A businessman has dared presidential candidate Mar Roxas who recently articulated his plan to develop Clark International Airport (CRK) as the country’s premier gateway.
Rene Romero, owner of Romac Manpower Services and vice-chairman of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., said that he doesn't believe that Roxas will implement development programs for Clark airport.
Roxas failed to prioritize the development of Clark airport as an international gateway during his term as head of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), said Romero.
"I don't believe him (Roxas). When you are the president, you set the policy and the secretary of the DOTC, which is under the Office of the President, is the one who will implement it. Roxas became the DOTC secretary but he did not prioritize Clark airport," Romero said.
It was also during Roxas’ term as DOTC head that the national government planned to divert the proposed budget for Clark airport to another infrastructure project, according to the businessman.
Romero claimed that Roxas was replaced by another official --- DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya Jr. – whom he alleged is also less concerned about the development of Clark airport.
“Mar does not walk his talk. He keeps on saying that he supports the development of Clark but what have he done for the airport?” Romero said.
In his recent to Pampanga, Roxas outlined his clear vision to turn Clark into the country’s premier airport and not just as an alternative to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), including the full preparation of infrastructure and his seriousness with the development of Clark airport and the countryside as a whole.