“There’s nothing to prevent Clark from growing its wings. This is the future primary international gateway of the Philippines.”
This was according to Baguio lone district Rep. Marquez Go, who graced the Clark International Airport North Philippines Roadshow held in the country’s summer capital, saying that Clark airport’s proximity to the Cordillera Administrative Region makes it the most viable alternative to NAIA.
The roadshow kicked off at the country’s premier summer destination with around 150 stakeholders who were given a walk-through of the airport’s upgrade and various developments, facilities and flight services.
Alexander Cauguiran, OIC President and CEO of the state-run Clark International Airport Corporation, said the sustaining campaign is to further promote the patronage of CRK in its catchment areas in Central and Northern Luzon, especially among OFWs and their families.
“The only way to decongest Metro Manila is to further develop Clark Airport,” he added.
The CIAC chief urged the participants to take a look at Clark Airport saying that “it would be more convenient for everybody to take domestic and international flights here (at Clark) and be connected to the rest of the world.”
Cauguiran also said the Philippine Airlines has already started daily flights to Caticlan since December 16 last year wherein travellers can now book their flights for a vacation in the world-famous Boracay Island.
He added that the government had already released an initial P2.8-billion for the construction of the new second Passenger Terminal to accommodate eight million passengers every year. The second terminal is scheduled to be constructed within the next three years.
Cauguiran said the roadshow is part of the CIAC’s revitalized marketing campaign to lure more passengers coming from the northern provinces of the country to travel via Clark International Airport (CRK) in Pampanga.
“We are following the lead of President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to develop the premier airport of the North,” Cauguiran said, adding that the use of CRK is part of the government’s efforts to decongest Metro Manila where millions of passengers traverse in going to the already crowded Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
The gathering is composed of representatives from the Baguio-Benguet Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rotary Club Baguio, travel and tour operators, as well as local tourism officials.
Allan Garcia, President and CEO of the John Hay Management Corporation, joined in the efforts to promote CRK while citing the JHMC’s program to boost tourist arrivals in Camp John Hay.
“Camp John Hay is poised to become a sports tourism destination, catering to both local and international tourists. People will have the advantage of using Clark Airport because it is the more convenient and accessible point from Baguio and Camp John Hay,” Garcia said.
Cauiguiran said the ongoing improvements on its facilities and services and increasing number of flights and carriers are the “realities of the Duterte administration’s vision for Clark Airport as the next premier gateway.”
The CRK North Philippines Roadshow will also visit the cities of Dagupan, Olongapo, Balanga and Cabanatuan in the coming months.
Clark Airport is host to various airlines, such Qatar Airways that flies to Doha, Emirates Airlines via Dubai, Cathay Dragon via Hong Kong, Asiana Airlines via Incheon in South Korea, Jin Air via Incheon and Busan, Philippine Airlines (PAL) via Incheon in South Korea and domestic flights to Caticlan leading to the world famous Boracay Island.
PAL is also set to start domestic flights via Cebu, Davao and Puerto Princesa in the coming months. Cebu Pacific via Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore with domestic flights to Cebu which had increased frequencies from four to six times weekly.