The plan for a P700-billion Bulacan Airport presented by the San Miguel Corporation to the Department of Transportation. (PHOTO FROM SMC PROPOSAL)
MANILA, Philippines – Three international firms — Groupe ADPi, Meinhardt Group and Jacobs — have been commissioned by the country’s largest conglomerate to design and build the proposed P734-billion New Manila International Airport in Bulacan.
According to San Miguel Corp. president Ramon Ang, the three firms are leaders in their respective fields and have been involved in building world-class airports including Singapore’s Chiangi Airport, France’s Charles de Gaulle Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the US, the world’s busiest aviation hub.
“This is our biggest investment in a single project to date, one that will definitely impact the lives of millions of Filipinos and the country in general,” Ang said. “It’s all the more reason for us to push for greater sustainability and choose the best people to work with us.”
The initial designs, some of which were released earlier, envision a future-ready airport focusing on overall passenger experience and sustainable technologies, consistent with the needs of the environment and the local communities of Bulacan and nearby provinces.
San Miguel said it will also engage a world-class airport operator to help manage the country’s future premier gateway.
Meanwhile, Ang assured fisherfolk who will be affected by the project that they will have better homes in relocation sites with motorized fishing boats where then can easily reestablish their livelihood.
“This project’s success is anchored on helping support the local fishing industry,” he said. “We are in the process of identifying areas where together we can build a fishing community that will last for generations to come.”
“We want Bulacan to eventually become the seafood capital of the Philippines where seafood is exported to other countries, and tourists come in droves to sample them, similar to what happened to Japan’s Tsukiji for so many years,” Ang said.
SMC said it hopes to be able to set the stage for a meaningful and productive engagement soon as it gets final approval from the government.
Ang reiterated that this project would provide more and better livelihood opportunities instead of taking them away, and ensure environmental balance and enhance resilience against calamities.
As soon as the San Miguel gets final approval from the government, it would officially start meaningful and productive engagement with all concerned stakeholders, especially the affected communities, he said.