Optimism greeted President Rodrigo Duterte’s plan to develop the Clark International Airport (CRK) as an alternate airport.
Alex Cauguiran, head of the recently-convened coalition Advocacy for Dual Airport Priority (Adapt), commended the President’s pronouncements about making the CRK an active international gateway.
Adapt has consistently been encouraging Duterte to define and implement a dual airport strategy for CRK and NAIA. Part of this proposed strategy is directing government agencies to establish pre-employment procedures and services near or within the area of the CRK.
Cauguiran, who met with Duterte last June 13, said: “I believe he is sincere in developing the CRK. He said he would discourage new factories in Metro Manila and instead encourage them outside”.
“We also discussed that in the ‘certainty of development’ of Clark, support services, industries, investments and generation of employment will follow and all these will lead to development in the region,” Cauguiran added.
Other groups also support Duterte’s movement, including Ruperto Cruz, chair of the multi-sectoral coalition Pinoy Gumising Ka Movement.
During his first cabinet meeting, the President directed instructions to Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, to find a way how to construct a new road that leads to the Pampanga airport where some domestic flights can be transferred.
“If we can have a road … then just transfer flights to Pampanga so they don’t clog the [Ninoy Aquino International Airport]. The best in the meantime is one road network that will be geared toward Pampanga and Clark so we can use the [CRK],” Duterte said.
The president also mentioned plans of having a fast train that links Manila and Clark during the election campaign period.
Tugade stated in a phone interview with the Inquirer he is serious about implementing the President’s order concerning Clark’s free port system and the CRK.
