Both the premier gateway and the alternate airport at Clark are ready for the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in November.
This was announced by Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Manuel Antonio Tamayo, following a meeting with the stakeholders.
To prepare for the biggest sporting event of the region, a meeting was held on Wednesday, July 30, to discuss the operational details of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) and Clark International Airport.
The subject of discussion was how to accommodate the guests and delegates who are participating in the Southeast Asian Games.
Tamayo assured the officials the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Committee (PHISGOC) and the Philippine Asean Paralympic Games Organizing Committee (PHILAPGOC) of “hands-on and full support” by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), on the other hand, and the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) have assured the readiness of the two international gateways for the expected surge of air passenger arrivals.
The SEA Games will be held at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Tarlac, where more than 17,000 Asean athletes, dignitaries and officials are expected to participate.
Apart from Tamayo, also present at the meeting were CIAC Officer-In-Charge Jaime Alberto Melo and Vice President for Operations Lt. Gen. Raul L. Del Rosario (Ret.), as well as representatives from the MIAA, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Office for Transportation Security (OTS), and other DOTr officials and stakeholders.
Image credits: Bernard Testa