BCDA sets upgrading of San Fernando Airport

MANILA, Philippines - The San Fernando Airport inside the Poro Point Freeport Zone in San Fernando, La Union has been lined up for upgrading under the public-private-partnership (PPP) program of the government.

This was announced by Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) president and CEO Arnel Paciano Casanova during the two-day Sillag Festival last weekend.

With the funding already secured last year, the upgrade will include the development of an airport terminal with mall complex patterned after Singapore’s Changi Airport.

The airport will be upgraded to meet the International Civil Aviation requirements for catering to larger aircraft for international flights, Casanova said.

The upgrading of the San Fernando Airport forms part of a master plan involving the development of some 146 hectares being managed by the Poro Point Freeport Zone.

PPFZ chairman Ives Nisce and PPFZ president Florante Gerdan unveiled the master plan during the Sillag Festival.

According to Gerdan, the ecozone will be divided into four districts. District 1 will be a business hub to include the lighthouse area. District 2 will be the commercial marina and transit hub. District 3 will be a sports center and district 4 will be reserved for cliffside homes.

The business hub and lighthouse area will cover a total of 17.20 hectares, of which 8.92 hectares will be leasable. It will feature a convention center with al fresco restaurants.

It will also include a shopping mall with a trade and exhibition area. Also to be housed in this area are commercial establishments and BPO facilities.

The commercial marina and transit hub district will cover 34.67 hectares including a leasable area of 18.79 hectares. It will have a hotel with docking facilities and an intermodal station. It will also feature a bay promenade.

Aside from sports facilities, the Sports Town Center will have entertainment and recreation facilities and will even include a hospital.

The plan also includes a reclamation project for high end residential projects. To be reclaimed is a total area of 58.73 hectares, of which 46.23 hectares will be leasable.