SMC: Design of Bulacan airport to address flooding
San Miguel Corp. (SMC) said the design of the multibillion peso Bulacan airport, dubbed the New Manila International Airport, has taken into account the needed measures to mitigate the risks of flooding.
“The airport’s design fully takes this into account and we have actually started implementing sustainable measures to address flooding in Bulacan that has existed for several decades and has been made worse by clogged waterways and drainages,” Ramon S. Ang, the company's president and COO said.
“We are humbled and grateful for the expression of support from majority of Senators and stakeholders present at the Senate hearing on the proposed franchise to construct an international airport in Bulacan."
Ang said the company agrees with the observation of Dr. Renato Solidum, officer-in-charge of Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, that proper engineering intervention measures are needed to mitigate risks such as flooding.
San Miguel said it tapped three major global airport construction firms: Groupe ADP (Aeroports de Paris), Meinhardt Group, and Jacobs Engineering Group. Among the airports these firms have worked on are Singapore’s famous Changi Airport, voted as World’s Best Airport for the 8th consecutive year this year; Charles de Gaulle Airport in France and Hartsfield-jackson Atlanta International airport in the United States.
“This airport is perhaps the largest, most ambitious, and most game-changing infrastructure projects by Filipinos for Filipinos. An effort of this magnitude requires the cooperation and support of many stakeholders. As such, we remain committed to engaging the public as we move to make this vision a reality—and make this right,” Ang said.
The Senate is conducting hearings on the 50-year franchise of the Bulacan airport after the House of Representatives approved its franchise and transmitted it to the upper chamber.
The said airport is proposed to be built on a 2,500-hectare coastal property in Bulakan, Bulacan as part of an envisioned 12,000 hectare township that features a residential zone, government center, seaport and an industrial zone.
The P735.63-billion airport development will cover the passenger terminal building with airside and landside facilities as well as an airport toll road and railway.
It will have 4 runways, 8 taxiways and 3 passenger terminals. It also has provisions for future expansion to sport six runways and to accommodate 200 million passengers per year.