“Just
like its vision for CRK, LIPAD envisions to transform its project land to be a
premier mixed-use township destination North of Manila – an aerotropolis that
integrates logistics, general aviation, and tourism to work, lifestyle, and
leisure with CRK as the center and key component of this development.” So was
quoted, in a press release some days back, Bi Yong Chungunco, CEO of the Luzon
International Premier Airport Development Corp., the consortium handling the
operations and maintenance of the Clark International Airport.
Turnover of O&M to LIPAD: Bi Yong Chungunco, Transport Sec. Art. Tugade, BCDA president-CEO Vince Dizon, CDC president Noel Manankil, among others
To
actualize that transformative vision, Chungunco said LIPAD plans “to leverage” on
the combined commercial wealth experience of its consortium members as they are
closely working with Filinvest Development Corp. -- itself the main cog of
LIPAD, and Robinsons Land Corp., corporate siblings of LIPAD partner JG Summit
Holdings Inc.
Chungunco
said the development of some 800 hectares within the aviation complex “which
includes both airside and landside areas” is part of the 25-year concession
agreement LIPAD signed with the government for the O&M of the CRK.
Aye,
there’s the rub.
“Eight
hundred hectares could only be for ‘aero’ or aviation component, the ‘polis’ part
or township would demand much, much more,” somebody that looked like a former CEO
of the Clark International Airport Corp. chuckled, nearly choking on his N95
mask in a chance meeting last week.
But
ain’t the Clark civil aviation area comprising some 2,360 hectares?
Yes,
he said, “under the jurisdiction of CIAC, outside the concession agreement.”
Turf war
Instant
connection now to this latest news of turf war brewing at the CRK: CIAC asking the
Department of Transportation for oversight functions over CRK, in response to LIPAD’s non-recognition of CIAC authority over the Clark Civil Aviation
Complex as mandated by EO 716. (Read “Turf war brews at CRK” in Punto, Aug. 4)
A
matter of hectarage – the undeclared casus belli – right there is the arena of conflict
that impacts directly on LIPAD’s aerotropolis vision for the CRK. Our friend Transportation Secretary Art Tugade
will have his diplomatic skills tested here.
Then
there is Ramon Ang’s mega airport in nearby Bulacan province that any Clark
aerotropolis would have to contend with. At a clear disadvantage for the latter,
sheer size a giveaway advantage to the former. Why, the very viability of CRK
will be at issue once the touted New Manila International Airport comes into
being.
Scale model of Ramon Ang's airport in Bulacan
So,
am I raining down on LIPAD’s parade?
Far
from these seeming gloom-mongering, I am all for the CRK. In all ways have
been. Always will be. My writings will bear me out, dating back to the American
occupation of Clark when we advocated for a dual use of the Clark airport –
military and commercial.
It’s
just that experience has shown that any talk of a Clark aerotropolis remained just that. Talk.
Chichos
There was in February 2013 the Clark Aviation Conference 2013 with
the theme ''The Case for Asia's Next Aerotropolis,” aimed to highlight “Clark's
compelling case as an aerotropolis, an idea in community planning where
airports serve as the center for new cities growing around them.”
Declared then CIAC president-CEO Victor “Chichos” Luciano: ''The
event will highlight CRK's critical role in easing air traffic congestion in
Manila and driving economic expansion in Central Luzon. It will also identify
infrastructure and policy developments at Clark Freeport Zone that are designed
to attract airport-related businesses and investments.''
Emphasizing: ''More importantly, the conference is a call for
the full development of CRK as an aviation nerve center in light of the
economic growth in Asia.''
The
conference ended as it began. In verbiage.
Guiao
In
May 2014, there was the 2nd Clark Aviation
Conference dubbed “Clark: Reshaping Philippine Aviation – The Aerotropolis
Concept.”
“…(A) compelling case to be an Aerotropolis,
identifying the infrastructure and policy developments which will enhance
Clark’s growth potential and economic impact.” So, it was hailed by its
principal convenor, then Pampanga 1st District Rep. Joseller “Yeng”
Guiao: “This is consistent not only with my own advocacy but with the clamor of
various stakeholders in Pampanga and Region III to maximize both the advantages
and resources of the Clark airport not only as a global aviation hub but as an
economic driver of enormous potential for the province, region and the
country.”
Note the operative words both fora shared which I
highlighted – compelling case. As it turned out, no one was impelled even
the slightest to walk the talk.
Alas, Guiao lost in the elections that followed, his
aerotropolis advocacy dying unbirthed.
In
June 2018, at the 1st Aeromart Summit at Quest Hotel, it was the
turn of BCDA senior vice president Joshua Bingcang to bat for the “huge
potential of Clark as Asia’s next aerotropolis” with the development of the CRK
and the New Clark City going into full swing. And nothing more was heard of it.
Three
tries at the bat. All three striking out. And they were not even the originator
of the aerotropolis concept at Clark.
Chichos Luciano and Manny Angeles
EYA
That
distinction goes to then CDC president-CEO Dr. Emmanuel Y. Angeles.
In
a forum of the Society of Pampanga Columnists which I headed in 2002, EYA broached
the idea of an aerotropolis for Clark which he defined as – if memory still
serves right now – “an airport-driven growth and expansion of cities into
globally-competitive urban centers.” He even gave a time frame of 25 years for
its realization into something like Schiphol in the Netherlands or any of those
in the United States.
I
remember The Voice’s Ody Fabian, still much alive then of course, asking
EYA what would distinguish the Clark aerotropolis from those in other countries.
“It
will have the biggest sundial in the world so that the time in Clark could be seen
even from up in the skies,” was EYA’s ready reply.
Persistent
Ody asked: “So how would that sundial show time to evening flights?”
EYA’s
instant answer: “We will put spotlights all around it.”
If
only for that, Ody could have laughed his way to his grave.
And
I remain a skeptic.
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