Pampanga chamber seeks support on Clark airport dev't

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (PamCham) is seeking the support of the Regional Development Council (RDC)-Central Luzon on the full development of Clark International Airport (CRK).

In a letter to RDC-Central Luzon Chairman and Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, PamCham vice chairman Rene Romero said that the full development of CRK and its declaration as a premier gateway to the Philippines has been a long standing advocacy of PamCham.

“Unfortunately and for reasons we fail to fathom, despite the airport’s many attributes that, by all sense and logic, makes it an ideal international portal to the country, it has yet to be declared as such. We continue to hope however that somehow, someday - sooner rather than later, this aspiration will indeed become a reality. We also agree that Clark’s development should parallel Ninoy Aquino International Airport's (NAIA) because admittedly, Manila is and will always be the center of trade, commerce and finance. Having Clark as a twin airport facility will considerably relieve congestion in Metro Manila, improve the quality of its living conditions and at the same time contribute to the spread of growth and progress northwards,” Romero said.

Romero stressed that efforts at promoting Clark’s fundamental advantages as an international gateway must not wane but rather be intensified to keep it within the ambit of awareness, not only of the national leadership -- both the current and incoming administration -- but of the international community as well.

“Given the current situation where Clark’s potential is hindered by its distance from Manila and noting that the provision of a critical railway system that will link it to NAIA may, as of yet, be another wishful thinking, I find it more sensible to take advantage of the local catchment area of Regions I, II, III and CAR. Estimated at 23 million, it shall be enough to sustain Clark Airports’ operations and maximize utilization of its facilities that is considered ‘one of the biggest aviation complexes in Asia with two runways in parallel configuration that can easily be extended to 4 kilometers to accommodate new generation wide-bodied aircraft.’ I herein humbly propose to the government and for the RDC-3’s support, the construction of a North Quad Railway System that will link Clark to Regions I, II, III, and CAR,” added Romero.

He emphasized that the construction of a North Quad Railway System will facilitate the fast and easy access of passengers in the North to Clark airport and as a bonus, provide relief to the congestion in Manila and the NAIA.

“Also, airline executives will be assured of a substantial passenger base in Clark, making the decision to field more trips to and from the airport a matter of course. Eventually, with the completion of the Integrated Luzon Railway system of the DOTC and the Clark Rail Transit system of BCDA, Clark will become the convergence point for travelers in the North from Regions I, II, III, CAR and from the northern part of the NCR. I am hoping that my proposal will be given your utmost consideration,” said Romero. (JTD)

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