The ground has been officially broken for a 9.36 billion-peso expansion of Clark International Airport.
The public-private partnership scheme, launched the Department of Transportation (DOTr), involves the construction of a 82,600 square metre passenger terminal building with an annual capacity of eight million passengers.
The engineering, procurement, and construction contract has been awarded to a consortium of Megawide Construction Corp. and Bangalore-based GMR Infrastructure Limited.
Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony at the airport yesterday (Tuesday, December 19), Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade hailed the creation of a “premiere international gateway” to serve Central Luzon.
Access to the expanded airport will be greatly improved by the creation of a new Manila to Clark rail line.
In June, the DOTr marked the first five stations of the 255 billion-peso railway, namely Marilao, Meycauyan, Valenzuela, Caloocan and Tutuban.
“Not later than January 6 of the coming year, we will mobilise to start the construction, finally, of the Tutuban-Malolos portion in the hope that the entire stretch from Tutuban to Clark will be completed fully and completely during the term of President Duterte,” Mr Tugade added.
Another major infrastructure project is the construction of the nearby Clark Green City, which was begun under the previous administration.
“This New Clark Green City will be the icing on the cake on the infrastructure that is sought to be put in place and developed by the Build, Build, Build team,” Mr Tugade said.
“This triangular development will certainly augur well … It will augur well for the development and growth of the entire country.”
The ambitious plans for the Clark International Airport and its surrounding are all part of efforts to decongest Manila’s airport and the city in general.
The DOTr has shown its commitment to the scheme by moving its offices from Manila to Clark in June.
Airlines are also playing their part, with many greatly increasing their services out of Clark.