Clark International Airport the best alternative to NAIA, says economist

Among the three alternative locations for a new gateway, Clark International Airport is the most feasible to replace the congested and outmoded Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), which was built in 1981.

 

At this point, expanding Clark International Airport would be the most feasible given the existing facilities there, Alvin Ang, a professor at Ateneo de Manila University' Economics Department, told GMA News Online on Tuesday.

 

"Kaunting development na lang ang kailangan," he said.

 

The 33-year-old NAIA is now processing 30 million passengers a year or two million shy of its 32-million capacity.

 

In anticipation of a three-fold increase in passengers by 2040, the Department of Transportation and Communications in November 2013 identified two feasible options: to expand and upgrade Clark International or build a completely new gateway facility 20 to 30 minutes away from Metro Manila.

 

French airport operator Aeroports de Paris is doing a feasibility study on a master plan and design for a P7.2-billion budget terminal that will expand passenger capacity of Clark International to 15 million a year from its current 5 million.

 

"In other countries, international airports are located outside of the capital for less costs on getting right of way," Ang said.

 

Determining which the best location for the new gateway entails a good analysis of cost and benefits of the alternative areas, the economist said.

 

"The cost is important at dapat mas maraming benefits, like accessibility, income for government, affordability and more people, goods and services will be moved," Ang said.

 

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) formally recommended Sangley Point in Cavite as the location of a new international airport to replace the congested NAIA in a presentation last June 13. 

 

The good thing about Sangley Point is it was a former base, Ang said.

 

"May airport na doon, but you need roads or train to access it," he said, noting this will require government to shell out money to buy the necessary right-of-way.

 

Sangley Point is a former US Navy base in southwestern Cavite province, 20 minutes away from Makati City.

 

Last month, Ramon Ang, president and COO of diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp., made a separate proposal to President Benigno Aquino III for a $10-billion airport.

 

The proposed airport will be located in a 1,600-hectare property owned by Cyber Bay Corp., straddling the cities of Las Piñas and Parañaque along the Manila-Cavite Expressway (Cavitex).

 

However, the economist said San Miguel's proposal is quite expensive as the project would need to reclaim more land and spend more for right-of-way to accommodate the road infrastructure.

 

"Marami na ang nakatira sa Las Piñas at Parañaque kaya mahirap din kumuha ng right-of-way," Ang said.

 

"Pero kung hindi government ang gagastos, it's okay," he added.

 

The expansion of Clark International Airport will benefit a new sprouting metropolis, Clark Green City, of state-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

 

Clark Green City, which covers 40,000 hectares that encompasses the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone, will be developed as a destination for investors.

 

The master plan for Clark Green City was approved by the National Economic and Development Authority NEDA board on May 30. – VS, GMA News