For years, the primary international gateway for travelers to the Philippines has always been the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. However, with the usual congestion of passengers and several controversies plaguing the historic airport, there have been calls to replace it. Now, a new international airport has been approved by the government to be constructed in the province of Bulacan, just a few kilometers north of Metro Manila.
Here's what you need to know about the new Bulacan International Airport:
#1 - Proposed by a private company: San Miguel Corporation, the largest group of companies in the Philippines, has been pushing for the construction of a new aviation facility to cater the growing needs of Filipino and foreign travelers since 2010. The unsolicited 700-billion peso project has been given a go signal by the government's National Economic and Development Authority on April 2018.
#2 - Will create a million jobs: Ramon Ang, the president of San Miguel Corp., said the six-year construction of the airport will create as many as one million direct and indirect jobs. He said they will be choosing the "best workers from here and overseas."
"It's a massive undertaking," Ang added. "We will need Filipino talents in engineering, construction, hospitality, and airport-related services. Hopefully, this will give many of our OFWs countrymen a reason to come home, be with their families, and at the same time help in building a better future for our nation."
#3 - Located strategically: The massive airport complex which is slated to be constructed on a 2,500-hectare property in Bulacan is 27 kilometers away from the NAIA. The project proposal also includes accessibility from any point in Metro Manila via multiple expressways in 45 minutes or less.
#4 - Features world-class facilities: The airport is expected to have up to four parallel runways which will be upgradable to six, modern terminals, cargo and ancillary facilities, and an adjacent industrial complex and its own seaport facilities on the edge of Manila Bay. Ang noted it would be designed especially for the comfort and convenience of the overseas Filipino workers.
"Our modern-day heroes have been dreaming of a world-class airport for such a long time. We want to make that dream a reality for our migrant workers at no cost to the Philippine government," he said. "We will make sure that our OFWs will be very comfortable in the new airport. Given their enormous contributions to the country, they deserve nothing less."
