DOTC sees $2.5-B revenue from proposed NAIA sale

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) on Wednesday said it expects the proposed sale of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to raise $2.5 billion, enough to bankroll its possible replacement in Clark, Pampanga. The proposed transformation of the Clark International Airport as the country’s “premier gateway" will “meet the long-term airport needs of the country and boost the country’s tourism industry," the department said. The proposed sale of NAIA is patterned after a similar move in Hong Kong “when they sold the old Kai Tak airport in Kowloon, which paid for the newer and expanded Chek Lap Kok airport in Lantau island," explained Transportation Secretary Manuel “Mar" Roxas II in a media roundtable discussion. But these plans “will not happen overnight, or within one to three years," Roxas noted. “If the growth is very high, we may keep two airports," he explained, referring to NAIA and the proposed transformation of the Clark airport. “But if the growth is just what’s projected, we may have only Clark and then sell [NAIA] to pay for the transfer." The DOTC said it is also considering other options, such as the reclamation of land around NAIA, “but even this appears unreasonable with only Talim island in Rizal and Laguna as an alternative big area." This makes the “less expensive" Clark airport a “better" option, the agency said. “The implementation of the North Rail Project will make Clark an attractive site," the DOTC said. “The North Rail will serve as an airport link by connecting the Caloocan line to the central business district in Makati, and Mabalacat in Pampanga as the end-station." Roxas explained that making Clark airport the country’s international gateway “will solve aircraft congestion in NAIA and transform Mabalacat as the next Makati north of Manila." 'Botox' treatment The DOTC statement came in the wake of negative international publicity surrounding NAIA which “The Guide to Sleeping in Airports" tagged as the world’s worst airport. “The customer is always right, this will serve as a challenge to do what we have to do faster and better," the secretary said. He added that current government measures to respond to this problem are “not enough so we will expand our efforts." A DOTC study shows that NAIA has reached its “saturation point," leaving practically no room for expansion. The agency noted that the rated capacity of all four NAIA terminals is about 32 million passengers annually, and is expected to hit 32 million passengers this year. “It is not only reaching the limit runway-wise but terminal-wise as well," the agency said. Roxas added that the government can do only so much refurbishment or “botox" treatment for NAIA, thus the need for the new airport in Clark. “That’s why we are advocating Clark as airport of the future," he said. — With Paterno Esmaquel II/VS, GMA News