Clark secures P1-billion loan for terminal upgrade

MANILA, Philippines -  Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) has secured a P1-billion loan for the expansion of Phase II of the passenger terminal at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Clark, Pampanga.

The loan will also be used for the improvement of other support infrastructure facilities such as the navigational equipment, which CIAC officials said are vital for the operations of the airport.

The remaining funds would be utilized for CIAC’s working capital.

CIAC president and CEO Victor Jose Luciano said they are set to start on March 5, the bidding of the Phase II expansion of the P360-million passenger terminal that would further accommodate the growing numbers of passengers at the airport.

Luciano also revealed the slated domestic operations of AirAsia Philippines on March 28 and AirPhil Express on March 29.

He said that last January alone, there had been a 37 percent growth of their international flights at the airport, and they expect this to further grow due to the slated domestic flights.

AirAsia will commence Clark-Davao and Clark-Kalibo domestic flights while AirPhil Express will start the Clark-Davao, Clark-Kalibo, Clark-Cebu and Clark Puerto Princesa routes.

The P1-billion loan facility from the land bank of the Philippines will be used for the expansion of the Phase II of the passenger terminal of the Clark International Airport to meet the demands of passenger growth due to the increase of international and domestic flights this year.

Luciano and LBP president and CEO Gilda Pico led the signing of the P1-billion loan facility last Tuesday.

Pico noted that Landbank and CIAC have strengthened their partnership and that the bank continues to support CIAC’s vision for the development of Clark Airport as the premier gateway of the country.

“This will contribute in the government’s national development which will benefit the whole country by making Clark Airport as the premier gateway,” she noted, adding that Landbank will continue to support the plans and programs of CIAC.

For his part, Luciano said this manifests the continued support and confidence of Landbank by granting the loan facility for the expansion of the passenger terminal at Clark Airport.

He said he expects the upgrading project to be finished by December this year, noting this was the deadline approved by Transportation and Communications Secretary. Mar Roxas.

He said the completion of the P1 billion project would increase the capacity of the Macapagal terminal to handle some four million passengers annually, from the current two million capacity.

CIAC executive vice president Bienvenido Manga said the upgrading project  of the Macapagal terminal would include doubling the floor area of the check in counter,  construction of two more baggage carousels, and the purchase of more modern navigational aids.