DOTC takes over Macapagal airport

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has transferred jurisdiction over the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) from the Office of the President to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

The move is seen as a first step in converting DMIA into the country’s premier airport.

Aquino issued Executive Order 64 making the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) an attached agency under the authority of Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel Roxas II, who will have administrative control and supervision over the DMIA.

Aquino said the EO was issued for the DOTC to oversee and monitor the development of the Clark Civil Aviation Complex (CCAC).

 “To ensure the continued development of CCAC, there is a need to establish clear lines of authority and accountability by directing a specific Cabinet office to exercise primary oversight functions over the same,” the EO said.

There will also be a board of directors for 11 members of CIAC. It will be headed by Roxas as chairman; Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez as vice chairman; and MIAA general manager, CAAP director general and seven others who will be appointed by the President as members.

It has been reported that the Aquino administration will be closing the three Ninoy Aquino International Airports (NAIA) in Pasay City and transfer it to the DMIA.

Roxas welcomed the EO, saying it would give the DOTC more elbow room as it comes up with a master plan for the Clark airport’s development as a premier international gateway and the further development of NAIA Terminals I, 2, and 3.

Meanwhile, officials of the CIAC said the EO proves the sincerity of the Aquino admi­nistration to develop Clark as the country's international gateway. – With Rainier Allan Ronda, Ding Cervantes