SMC unveils master plan for Bulacan ‘aerocity’

DIVERSIFIED conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) released on Tuesday a conceptual master plan for an “aerocity” in Bulacan, which is seen to complement its P740-billion New Manila International Airport (NMIA) Project.

Designed by Palafox Associates, the designs “reflect the vision of a modern Philippine city that provides built-in solutions to various socio-economic, environmental, and climate issues, and corrects the mistakes seen in many urban developments of Metro Manila,”

SMC President Ramon S. Ang said.

“These designs presented to us by architect [Jun] Palafox and his team will be close to actual. There will probably be some adjustments by the time we implement, and we will still continue to improve as needed, but in terms of the overall concept, design, and the features, this is it,” he said.

Both the airport and the aerocity will feature green designs to promote sustainability, addressing “social and environmental concerns.”

Ang said the aerocity development addresses many of the problems experienced in Metro Manila today, as it will feature areas for agriculture and food production, logistics, health and wellness, aeronautics, finance, science and technology, commerce, residences, education, tourism, entertainment, recreation, and government among others.

The planned aerocity will also utilize renewable energy, and will accommodate both traditional and alternative modes of transportation, as well as promote active and healthier lifestyles.

It will also have “ample open spaces and utilize the latest in digital infrastructure.”

Meanwhile, the conglomerate’s 2,500-hectare NMIA project will initially feature four parallel runways, a world class terminal, and a modern and interlinked infrastructure network that includes expressways and railways.

The NMIA is an unsolicited proposal from SMC, which first floated the idea in 2016. It won the contract to build, operate, and maintain the facility in 2019, when no one challenged the proposal.