By Pearl Gumapos
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte led the inspection of the newly completed passenger terminal building of the Clark International Airport (CRK) on Saturday evening (July 17).
“It will surely help decongest traffic at the busy Ninoy Aquino International Airport and provide a better flying experience for locals and tourists alike. I commend the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and all our partners in the private sector for this massive achievement,” the President said in his speech.
“This structure before us reflects the manifestations and unyielding commitment to improve the quality of life of every Filipino by providing big-ticket infrastructure projects such as this that will improve connectivity, mobility, create jobs, and disperse economic activity to the regions,” he said.
The President also said the airport would help boost economic growth in Northern and Central Luzon.
“As we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and adapt to a new normal, may we all look forward to a safer, easier, and more comfortable travel experience here at the Clark International Airport,” the President said.
The new terminal building is the first hybrid public-private partnership (PPP) project completed under the Build Build Build program of the Duterte administration, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Commuter Affairs of DOTr Goddes Hope Libiran said in a Facebook post.
The new terminal will supposedly add another eight million to the current capacity of the old terminal and is envisioned to decongest gateways in urban centers, while serving the Northern and Central Luzon catchment area.
“The Clark International Airport is envisioned to be one of the biggest aviation complexes in Asia and the next premier gateway in the region,” Libiran said.
Leading this project are the DOTr and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).
There remains no specific date yet on the new terminal’s opening.
The terminal is among the six projects in the Build, Build, Build, infrastructure program of the Duterte administration in Clark, Pampanga.
The DOTr said last June that the said terminal will be able to handle international passengers in September, and can handle up to 12.2 million passengers annually. -rir
