House gives final approval to ecozone near proposed Bulacan airport

The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final reading the measure seeking to establish an economic zone to be built adjacent to the proposed New Manila International Airport (NMIA) in Bulacan.

With 205 affirmative votes, six negative, and one abstention, the chamber approved House Bill 7575 which establishes the Bulacan Airport City Special Economic Zone and Freeport, principally authored by Bulacan Representative Jonathan Sy-Alvarado.

According to Alvarado, the economic zone and freeport are expected to provide alternative areas for investment outside Metro Manila.

"It has the potential to boost economic activity in the area, provide more job opportunities to Bulakeños and the surrounding provinces, and improve the economic condition in the province," he added.

Once enacted into law, the Bulacan Ecozone will cover the NMIA, the Airport City to be established adjacent to the airport, and lands adjacent to Airport City as may be later determined.

The approval of the bill came after the House also approved on third reading House Bill 7507, which grants San Miguel Aerocity Inc., a subsidiary of San Miguel Holdings Corp., a franchise for the construction of the NMIA, amounting P735 billion.

The planned NMIA is expected to help to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, which has now reached overcapacity.

The project involves the construction, operation, and maintenance of a 2,500-hectare airport in Bulacan. The development includes a passenger terminal building with airside and landside facilities, an airport toll road, and four runways.

It includes an 8.4-kilometer tollway connecting the airport to the North Luzon Expressway in Marilao, Bulacan.

Gabriela Women's Party Representative Arlene Brosas, however, opposed the approval of the Bulacan ecozone bill, saying that the facility is "inextricably linked to the environmentally and socially devastating Bulacan Aerotropolis project."

"This special economic zone will further reinforce the import-dependent and export-oriented nature of our trade and economy, as it will be positioned logistically beside the Aerotropolis. Hindi batayang pambansang industriya ang sisibol sa loob ng economic zone na ito kundi mga negosyo at pabrika pa rin na nakasandig sa low value-added exports at costly imports," she said.

"Dahil kwestiyonable ang feasibility at environmental compliance ng Aerotropolis, lumalabas na usapin din ito sa pagtatayo ng Bulacan Airport City special economic zone. Hindi maaring ibalik ang mga mangroves, fishing communities, at migratory birds na maaring mawala dahil sa proyektong ito," she added.

Following the approval on third reading, the measure can now be sent to the Senate for its own deliberation and consideration. — DVM, GMA News