𝗢𝗺𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝘂𝗺 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝘆. 𝗣𝗮𝘂𝗹 𝗬𝘂𝘀𝗶

This column wishes to acknowledge the request made by Camarines Sur Representative Luis Raymond Villafuerte regarding the postponement of the planned transfer of all turbo-propelled airplanes currently stationed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to secondary airports, such as Clark International Airport (CRK).

I understand that Cong. Villafuerte has concerns that this transition might have implications for tourism in his province and the broader Bicolandia region.
That said, it is my proposition that enhancing local tourism through the introduction of turbo-prop plane travel from Clark could greatly benefit both Metro Manilans and international visitors.

This initiative not only has the potential to encourage travelers from Central and North Luzon to visit Camarines Sur and the whole of Bicolandia, people from Metro Manila and South Luzon will also have the chance to extend their stay in Angeles, Clark, and the nearby provinces, such as Zambales, Bataan, and Pangasinan, when travelling to other parts of the country. The existence of the skyway from San Pedro, Laguna to Balintawak has indeed been a game changer.

These areas boast a wealth of beautiful destinations and could facilitate an enriching experience for visitors, allowing them to enjoy an extra day or two in the region’s excellent hotels and leisure facilities before or after their flights.

In a recent online news report by the Inquirer, a distinguished official from LIPAD stated, “we are prepared to welcome the turboprops, emphasizing their capacity to immediately manage approximately 1.6 million passengers. He further elaborated that “The Pampanga gateway has an initial capacity to accommodate 4 million passengers annually, although we have yet to maximize its potential.”

Additionally, it was noted that if further capacity is necessary, they would be able to scale operations to support up to 8 million passengers.

In light of these developments, organized business in our region has continuously dedicated and pursued to working collaboratively with the management of NLEX and SCTEX to enhance the operation of these expressways, thereby minimizing travel time and making the region even more accessible.

I took this opportunity to present my perspective on this important issue and look forward to ongoing discussions that prioritize both tourism and regional development.
At the end of the day, all these exchanges when properly weighed will be for the good of all.