With a number of problems hounding the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), including congestion and security/honesty issues, a number of groups are calling for more international airports to be built across the country.
No less than 14 overseas Filipino worker (OFW) groups are pushing for a world-class international airport to be built in Bulacan.
Negotiations are actually under way for the airport to be built but the OFW groups are hoping to fast-track these negotiations so the facility can be built really soon.
In separate letters sent to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Office of the President, the following OFW groups made their appeal for the government to build the international airport in Bulacan soon:
- Ang Kaagapay ng Bawat OFW
- Blas F. Ople Policy Center
- Bulacan Federation of OFW Family Circle Officers
- Filipino Malaysian Cultural Sports and Workforce Training Program
- Integrated Seafarers of the Philippines
- Kabalikat ng Migranteng Pilipino
- Kaibigan ng OCWs
- Kapisanan ng mga Kamag-anak ng Migranteng Manggagawang Pilipino Inc.
- LBS Recruitment Solutions Corp.
- OFW Chamber of Commerce
- OFW Committee
- OFW Council of Leaders-KSA
- OFW Watch
- Philippine Association of Migrant Workers and Advocates
- United Filipino Seafarers
- Zonta Club of Quezon City
The head of Blas F. Ople Policy Center, Susan Ople, revealed that the group is not just calling for the government to build the airport soon but also supports the call for other major infrastructure projects.
Such major projects would mean the creation of more jobs in the Philippines – and that is something that the group believes to be essential in bringing more OFWs home.
“Optimism is high that once these critical projects begin, then floodgates for more jobs and potential investments will be flung wide open,” Ople said.
The proposed New Manila International Airport has been proposed by San Miguel Corp. Not only will this airport feature a world-class terminal and four runways, it will also have a road network as well as connection to ferry services and the MRT.
In their letter, the OFW groups also pointed out that this project would be an excellent one since no taxpayers’ money will be used and it would take around 5 to 6 years to complete. This means that this would create many jobs, with at least a million jobs expected to be created during the construction stage.
