DOTC singles out Sangley Point as site for new main airport

The Department of Transportation and Communication on Sunday said that the next main airport will be at Sangley Point in Cavite City as recommended by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

In a statement, Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio "Jun" Abaya said that the new airport will operate under an "integrated airspace" with the same air traffic control as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport until 2025.

"JICA’s recommendation means that, in effect, the new Sangley airport will be NAIA’s ‘third runway’ until greater expansion can be made in the long-term," the former Cavite representative said.

Sangley Point in Cavite City is a former US Naval Station. It is now under the control of the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Air Force.

Instead of building a $10-billion four-runway airport, Abaya said the government plans to initially construct only one or two runways to upgrade Sangley Point's airport so the new airport can be used sooner.

Closing down NAIA is still an option, the Transportation secretary said, adding that they have until 2025 to decide on the matter. Sangley Point is expected to have been upgraded to a four-runway airport.

Meanwhile, Abaya said that it has yet to present it final airport strategy to President Benigno Aquino III, adding they are "still open" to other proposals.

“We are pursuing JICA’s recommendations since its study has been officially authorized by the DOTC for several years," he said.

The Transportation separtment is set to conclude its own feasibility study regarding the new international Sangley airport next year, he noted.  

Abaya added that they have to formally accept a proposal from San Miguel Corporation.

“In the meantime, we will continue upgrading NAIA and encouraging the rapid growth of Clark International Airport, which we still see developing into a major international gateway in the long-term, alongside our plans for NAIA and Sangley,” he said.

In 2011, JICA identified eight potential sites as an alternative to NAIA. These were Angat-Pandi-Bustos; Obando; North Manila Bay; Central Manila Bay; Sangley Point; San Nicholas Shoals; West Laguna Lake; and Rizal-Talim Island. JICA ranked each site based on criteria such as catchment area, navigation risk, natural hazard risk, and accessibility.

Last month, JICA presented the results of its study that showed that Sangley Point is the most feasible location for an international airport that will replace NAIA. — Rouchelle R. Dinglasan/JDS, GMA News