DAVAO CITY (August 25) — — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is pushing for the development of other gateways to ease the air traffic at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the Clark International Airport (CRK).
The Transportation department proposed to build airport in Bulacan and in Cavite.
The Bulacan International Airport was proposed by the San Miguel Corporation (SMC).
While the province of Cavite pushed for a new airport which will occupy the site of former United States naval base.
The DOTr in a press statement said the proposed airport will greatly help the NAIA airtraffic problem.
This airport complementation strategy is aimed at decongesting NAIA, give travelers more options, and spread development across Luzon, the statement added.
Transportation Secretary Arturo Tugade said having multiple airports would mean decongesting NAIA and Clark, “Ideally, there should be a train service linking these airports, which is also being pursued by the government.
Tugade said it is “Complementation strategy and has been part of the air transport roadmap from day one, and rest assured, that’s what we are going to do.”
Apart from these airports in Luzon, Tugade said several other airports are undergoing various stages of implementation which include the new Bohol (Panglao) airport, which will be opened within the year.
The Bicol International Airport in Albay is now also being constructed after 11 years of delay. The Siargao and Bukidnon airports are also in the works.
“Apart from these new gateways, we are improving our existing provincial airports. We are extending and expanding runways, building new passenger terminal buildings, and generally improving the facilities,” Tugade said. -Editha Z. Caduaya/Newsline.ph
