CLARK FREEPORT -- An advocacy group calling for the full development of Clark International Airport (CRK) stated that the plan of the national government to construct a new low-cost terminal here "remain to be seen."
The Pinoy Gumising Ka Movement (PGKM), headed by businessman Ruperto Cruz, issued the statement in reaction to a recent report that the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) approved the P7.2 billion Clark airport budget terminal.
Cruz claimed that the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) and Clark Development Corporation (CDC) previously made similar pronouncements but the Clark airport development plan remained "empty."
"Sasabyan na ning Neda approved ya ne oneng ana pin put your money where your mouth is. Ing BCDA, CDC ginamit da ne kanita ita. Ing sabi da atin approval pero alang milyari keng airport angga ngeni (The BCDA and CDC used the same [statement]. They said there was approval already but nothing has happened to the airport until now)," Cruz said.
At present, the airport only has 150 chairs, instead of 180, inside its waiting area, according to him.
Cruz described the NEDA pronouncement as a good propaganda of the ruling Liberal Party of President Aquino to win the hearts of the people in Central and Northern Luzon.
"Keti king Central ampong Northern Luzon, including Cordillera, magkasakit lang manikwang botu keni uling deneprive de ing development through the construction of the airport (Here in Central and North Luzon, including Cordillera, they are finding it hard to get votes because they deprived them of development through the construction of the airport)," Cruz said.
He added that the failure of the national government to fully develop Clark airport has caused inconvenience to passengers, including Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), coming from the North because of the long travel time and distance to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila, which is the country’s premier gateway.
Airlines and investors were deceived when the BCDA and CDC promised them a fully developed airport, according to the PGKM head.
Cruz dared the Neda to show the documents of approval for the new Clark airport terminal.
"Campaign material ya yan. Pangwa ya mung botu 'yan. Nung talagang inapruban de, show the documents. (It’s just campaign material to get votes. If they really approved it, then they must show the documents.) Your approval is there and your signature is there," Cruz said.
He said the people of Central and Norther Luzon are expecting President Aquino on his last State of the Nation Address (Sona) to issue a national declaration for CRK’s development.
"So we are waiting for the President on his last Sona na sabyan na ing Clark ma-develop ya. Deng ilokanu sasabyan da wen ara. Ing amerikanu sabyan na naman when will you finish and when will you start ana," Cruz said.
Lawyer Emigdio Tanjuatco III, Clark International Airport Corporation president and chief executive officer, earlier clarified that the Neda board has yet to approve the P7.2 billion CRK budget terminal.
Tanjuatco said that what the Neda Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) approved recently was the feasibility study for the low-cost terminal development plan prepared by the Aeroports de Paris.
The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), together with the CIAC, previously presented the ADP study and master development plan of Clark airport to the Neda ICC.
"Actually, what was approved by the Neda ICC is the feasibility study of ADPI. That is the step before the Neda Board chaired by the President," Tanjuatco said.
"Lahat ng in-approve ng Neda-ICC iaakyat sa Neda Board for the President's approval," he added.
The Neda board is scheduled to convene at the end of May and the project will be presented by the DOTC, according to Tanjuatco.
"Hopefully, maipasok natin by the end of May kasi may mga documents pa na dapat isama for Neda board. Once it is submitted to the Neda board, we are optimistic na maa-approve siya ng presidente," the CIAC head said.
After its approval, the project will be ready for bidding which will be conducted by the DOTC, Tanjuatco said.
He said the project is expected to start during the last quarter of 2015 if the Terms of Reference and bidding process are completed within two to three months.