Malacañang on Tuesday said Sangley Air Base in Cavite may be ready to accommodate domestic flights by November to help ease air travel in Metro Manila.
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and Presidential Spokesman Salvador S. Panelo confirmed President Duterte has ordered Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade to cut short its timetable in preparing Sangley for commercial use during the Cabinet meeting on Monday.
“The original target date for that was supposed to be in December. But the President said that is too long, and they should make it November instead,” Panelo said.
The plan to open Sangley Air Base to airline companies was floated by Tugade during the Cabinet meeting after Duterte expressed his displeasure of the flight delays at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) during his inspection there on Monday.
Currently, the former United States Naval Station is being managed by the Philippine Navy and Air Force.
In March, Tugade said they are faced with a funding issue in developing Sangley Airport since they will need around $10 billion for the project.
Aside from the funding woes, Panelo said the DoTr is now addressing other issues concerning the opening of Sangley Airport for domestic flights, including the transfer of passengers and its security.
“Secretary Tugade reported that he had already initiated the testing of ferries that can operate from the Mall of Asia to Sangley within 18 to 24 minutes,” Panelo said.
Panelo added Duterte is pushing the military and police to secure the said airport.
“Secretary Tugade will be preparing an appropriate executive order for the President’s consideration,” Panelo said.