CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda and the provincial board, headed by Vice Gov. Dennis Pineda, on Friday reiterated the call for adoption of a dual-airport system policy tapping the Clark International Airport (CIA) as complementary airport to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) in Metro Manila.
“We fully support the adoption of the dual-airport system, allowing Clark airport to serve as complementary to Naia,” Pineda said.
A Sangguniang Panlalawigan-approved resolution noted the Naia appears to be inadequate to accommodate the large volume of arriving air passengers that often times, incoming flights are diverted to the CIA in Pampanga.
The provincial government also said Naia has already reached its maximum annual capacity of 30 million passengers.
The provincial board believes that passenger load at the Naia, in a few years, would soar up to 40 million or more a year and the situation requires immediate attention.
“With this proposed dual-airport system, we could prevent the occurrence of such unfavorable situation if Clark International Airport will serve as secondary gateway to the Philippines,” the resolution added.
As a second gateway, Clark airport would be able to serve passengers bound for or departing from Central and Northern Luzon, including migrant workers, business travelers and foreign tourists.
“If this happens, it will contribute considerably to the economic growth of Central Luzon, particularly in the province of Pampanga,” provincial board resolution declared.
A feasibility study confirmed that the CIA enjoys distinctive features that will fit in the dual-airport system, considering its strategically placed location in the center of Luzon urban beltway hub in the Philippines.
It is also centrally located in the Asian region aside from its connectivity to more than 125 destinations in the world.