GUIGUINTO, Bulacan -- Bulacan officials are looking forward to major economic developments with the approval of the unsolicited proposal for the construction of an international airport in Bulakan town by San Miguel Corporation (SMC).
Governor Wilhelmino Sy Alvarado confirmed the approval for the international airport to be constructed in the province, during the launching here of the “Refill Revolution” on Friday by the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources regional office in Central Luzon.
The governor said the proposed international airport will be constructed in the coastal area of Bulakan town and will be complemented with flood and coastal road projects along the Manila Bay areas of the province.
“It will spell thousands of job and business opportunities to Bulakenyos,” he said.
On the other hand, Guiguinto Mayor Ambrocio Cruz, who is also the president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Bulacan, noted that with the start of the construction for the international airport, widening of road networks in the province will follow so as not to provide inconvenience to passengers that are expected to arrive and depart from the international airport.
“Bulacan will definitely become the “darling” of foreign and local investors,” Cruz said.
Meanwhile, Obando Mayor Edwin Santos said the runway and airplane hangars of the airport will encroach on Obando’s side and that they are currently on the planning stage for a road network that would connect their town to the North Luzon Expressway.
“Plans are being made to accommodate the expected increase in numbers of motorists (who) will pass through Obando (and) who would bring with them economic benefits and job opportunities,” said Santos.
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board said its approved international airport involves the construction of a terminal, parallel runways, and an airport toll road.
The whole project will cover around 2,500 hectares, of which 1,168 hectares will be the main airport complex, while the remaining 1,332 hectares will be developed into a township.
The Bulacan International Airport will have an initial annual capacity of 100 million passengers, more than triple the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. (PNA)
