House OKs bill renaming Clark International Airport after Diosdado Macapagal

The House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading the bill seeking to change the name of Clark International Airport in Pampanga to Diosdado Macapagal International Airport.

With 199 affirmative votes and zero negative votes, the chamber approved House Bill 8649, principally authored by Pampanga Representatives Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales and Carmelo Lazatin II and 21 other lawmakers.

Macapagal, the country's ninth president, was also the father of 14th president and current Speaker and Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

House Bill 8649 is adopted from House Bills 2274 and 8289, authored by Gonzales and 1-SAGIP party-list Representative Rodante Marcoleta, respectively.

Both resolutions stressed that due to the vital role of the airport in aviation and transportation, it is only proper that it is named after Macapagal, who was known as "the poor boy from Lubao."

"[Macapagal] is a Filipino with sterling legacy and incomparable distinction as a respected leader, champion of the poor, true statesman, and a nationalist of unquestionable integrity," the explanatory note of House Bill 8289 read.

The airport is now considered a major international gateway following the Xiamen plane mishap in August that caused the temporary closure of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport runway. — BM, GMA News