Construction of Bulacan int’l airport expected to create 1M jobs — SMC

As many as one million direct and indirect jobs will be created within the six-year construction period for what is dubbed as the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan, once the government approves it, the head of the conglomerate behind the project said on Monday.

In an emailed statement, San Miguel Corp. president Ramon Ang said the undertaking — which aims to replace the 70-year-old Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) — will also be a boon for the country’s large community of overseas Filipino workers many of whom have the expertise needed for the building of the $15-billion, four-runway “aerotropolis.”

“Once the airport project is given the green light to proceed with construction, we will tap our best workers from here and overseas,” Ang said.

“It’s a massive undertaking,” Ang said. “We will need Filipino talents in engineering, construction, hospitality, and airport-related services. Hopefully, this will give many of our OFWs countrymen a reason to come home, be with their families, and at the same time help in building a better future for our nation.”

“Our modern-day heroes have been dreaming of a world-class airport for such a long time. We want to make that dream a reality for our migrant workers at no cost to the Philippine government,” he added, noting that the airport will be designed with the comfort and convenience of expatriate Filipino workers in mind.

“We will make sure that our OFWs will be very comfortable in the new airport. Given their enormous contributions to the country, they deserve nothing less,” the San Miguel chief said.

Massive airport complex

San Miguel, the country’s largest conglomerate, has been pushing for the construction of a new aviation facility to accommodate the growing air travel needs of Filipinos since 2010.

Its latest proposal calls for a massive airport complex on a 2,500-hectare property in Bulacan, 27 kilometers north of Naia.

The airport will have up to four parallel runways, upgradeable to six; modern terminals, cargo and ancillary facilities, and an adjacent industrial complex and its own seaport facilities on the edge of Manila Bay.

The proposal also calls for the new airport to be made accessible from any point in Metro Manila via multiple expressways in 45 minutes or less.

The project was approved by the National Economic and Development Authority last April.  /vvp