Converting Sangley Point too costly, says P-Noy

MANILA, Philippines - The Sangley Point in Cavite will no longer be converted into an airport since it would be too costly for the cash-strapped government, not to mention the likelihood of reclaiming lands to expand the naval military base, President Aquino said yesterday.

In a chance interview at Corregidor island, where he attended the 70th memorial commemoration of the Fall of Corregidor, Aquino – the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines said such conversion would not be viable.

At the same time, Aquino revealed there are already discussions between Secretaries Mar Roxas of the Department of Transportation and Communications and Voltaire Gazmin of the Department of National Defense for the transfer of NAIA’s general aviation to Sangley.

The transfer may take a month or so, which is aimed at easing the congestion at NAIA.

In July 2010, during his first state-of-the-nation-address, Aquino said the headquarters of the Philippine Navy along Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City might be transferred to Camp Aguinaldo, to give way to investors who wanted to lease by $100 million the Navy compound.

He said a group had offered him a proposal that he could hardly refuse, where the Navy will eventually be transferred to Camp Aguinaldo. Aquino said this group wants to rent the Navy headquarters in Pasay City as well as the Naval Station in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig.

“They will take care of the funding necessary to transfer the Navy Headquarters to Camp Aguinaldo. Immediately, we will be given $100 million. Furthermore, they will give us a portion of their profits from their businesses that would occupy the land they will rent.”

“In short, we will meet our needs without spending, and we will also earn. There have already been many proposals from local to foreign investors to provide for our various needs,” Aquino said.

He lamented the Navy only had 32 boats to take care of 36,000 nautical miles of shoreline.

The President called this scheme “public-private partnerships,” which he hopes would help grow the country’s economy where “every Filipino will be the beneficiary.” “There are so many sectors that could benefit from this.”

“We will be able to construct the needed infrastructure in order to help tourism grow.” 

“In agriculture, we will be able to have access to grains terminals, refrigeration facilities, orderly road networks and post-harvest facilities,” he said, highlighting that job creation is “foremost” in his agenda.