BCDA sets bid for dev’t of San Fernando Airport

MANILA, Philippines - The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) expects to bid out the development of the San Fernando Airport in La Union in the first quarter of next year.

“We will bid it out in the first quarter next year,” BCDA president and chief executive officer Arnel Paciano Casanova told reporters yesterday.

He said the feasibility study being undertaken by Netherlands-based Rebel Group International is expected to be completed within the third quarter.

The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center has approved funding support worth P69 million for the conduct of the feasibility study of the project.

The BCDA plans to offer the development of the San Fernando Airport as a PPP project.

“We want the airport to be the gateway for the north,” Casanova said.

He said the airport could serve not just domestic travellers, but also foreign tourists as well.

The development of the San Fernando Airport is part of the plan to make the 146-hectare Poro Point Freeport Zone (PPFZ) a more attractive location for investors.

Under the plan, the San Fernando Airport would be upgraded and a terminal shopping mall would be put up.

Aside from the San Fernando Airport, the BCDA is involved in other infrastructure projects.

Casanova said the BCDA is pushing for a commuter rail that would link Clark Green City in Pampanga to the Philippine National Railways’ Malolos station in Bulacan.

“We are pushing for the development of Clark,” he said.

He said informal discussions with the Department of Transportation and Communications have been conducted for the proposal.

The 9,450-hectare Clark Green City is being developed as the country’s first green and smart metropolis and as an ideal investment destination.

Late last month, President Aquino approved the master development plan and development of the first phase covering 1,300 hectares of the Clark Green City.

The BCDA intends to start the bidding process for the development of the first phase of the Clark Green City by the third quarter.