CLARK FREEPORT -- Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) head Emigdio Tanjuatco, Jr. said the fate of Clark airport lies on the decision of the country’s next president.
Tanjuatco issued the statement a few days after the National Economic Development Authority (Neda) Board, chaired by President Benigno Aquino III approved the P15-billion expansion of Clark International Airport (CRK).
“The fact na na-approve ng Neda, nandiyan yan. Pero nasa bagong pangulo na lang yon kung bibigyan ng priority,” he said.
Tanjuatco said he is personally discussing the Clark airport project with potential presidential and senatorial candidates in the 2016 national elections.
“Kaya nga ako this early pa lang, kung may pagkakataon, kinakausap ko yung mga tatakbong senador at presidente na sana ipagpatuloy nila ang Clark,” said Tanjuatco.
CIAC now awaits a directive from the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) before the project bidding will start, according to Tanjuatco.
A technical working group is tasked to facilitate the bidding.
"“Ang CIAC engineering at DOTC ginagawa na yung terms of reference (TOR)," he said.
The actual bidding is expected to start in December this year and the TOR will be prepared after a month.
If the project is awarded to the winning bidder by January, the construction is expected to commence by February 2016, Tanjuatco said.
The official however cited the problem on election ban which prohibit government projects from being implemented during the whole election period.
CIAC is planning to file for an exemption from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) so that the project will continue despite the election ban.
The first phase of the new Clark airport will have a capacity of three million passengers per year, according to Tanjuatco.
This will augment the existing terminal which can accommodate four million passengers annually, he said.
“In 2018, we will increase to eight million passengers, kasi ang design modular. Iko-construct in such a way na hindi madi-disrupt and present operations ng airport,” Tanjuatco said.
Once completed, the new airport is expected to accommodate 16 million passengers per year.
Tanjuatco assumed office about a year ago. He is a second cousin of Aquino.