No sovereign guarantee, subsidy for SMC’s proposed Bulacan airport —Tugade

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on Friday said no sovereign guarantee shall be extended to the P700-billion Bulacan airport project proposed by diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC).

"Dapat lang walang government [sovereign] guarantee, government subsidy. Dapat lang walang kontrata na sasabihin 'yung mga eroplano na lumilipad sa airport na ito ay ilipat mo sa amin dapat walang ganun kung okay 'yun handa tayong mag-usap," Tugade told reporters in a chance interview in Taguig City.

The Transportation chief said SMC has sent a letter to the Department of Transportation expressing interest in constructing an airport in Bulacan.

"Sa Bulacan airport meron silang sulat, sinabi lang namin doon we are ready to talk, subject to existing laws and regulations," he said.

Tugade said that if the SMC and DOTr agree on the terms of the project, it will be endorsed to the National Economic and Development Authority - Investment Coordination Commitee.

"Pag in-okay na ng NEDA at ng Presidente, it will be subject to Swiss Challenge," Tugade said.

"Nag-uusap na ngayon, within the context of unsolicited proposal," he added.

The proposed airport covers 2,500 hectares of land in Bulakan, Bulacan. —KBK, GMA News