SMC Bulacan Airport Under Review by DOTr
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) reviews a P700 billion international airport project by conglomerate San Miguel Corporation (SMC) in Bulacan, Philippines.
Some of the details of SMC’s unsought proposal was released by DOTr Undersercretary Roberto Lim on Wednesday, February 15. Lim’s presentation revealed perspective of an enormous airport city complex of about 2, 500 hectares in Bulakan, Bulacan province.
A proposal under a build- operate- transfer scheme, SMC will operate the airport under a 50 year allowance. With a span of 1,168 hectares and a proposed six parallel runways with an initial length of 3.5 kilometers each, the presented air terminal complex is said to accommodate even the largest passenger aircrafts.
Meanwhile, its initial passenger capacity is at an estimated 100 million passengers per year. An expressway will also be established in order for the airport to be connected to North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in Marilao. The expressway will also be connected to the SMC operated Metro Rail Transit (MRT) line- 7 in San Jose Del Monte Bulacan.
Many have agreed that the establishment of the new landing strips serving Manila and other nearby areas is needed. Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) opened in the 1980’s is said to have been exhausted and has been operating well beyond its design capacity.
If granted, the proposed construction of the massive international “aerotropolis”, is said to be completed within six years.
