SMC revives calls for new NAIA runway

Ang to submit P50-B unsolicited proposal to next admin

MANILA, Philippines - Diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. has revived calls for the construction of a third runway at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport with an estimated cost of around P50 billion.

In a briefing following the company’s listing of its P33.5 billion preferred shares yesterday, SMC president and COO Ramon S. Ang said the proposed runway is aimed at expanding capacity and easing congestion at Manila’s congested airport.

It will be an unsolicited proposal which I will submit to the next government,” Ang said without giving more details.

He said the third runway could double the hourly air traffic movements – the landing and take off activities – to 100 movements from an estimated 50 movements at present. 

The proposal, which includes the construction of a low-cost terminal, would service 30 million passengers per year.

“This would double the take off and landing per hour to 100 from the current 50,” Ang said.

“I will give the design to the next administration or the current administration if they are interested,” Ang said.

He estimates the cost to reach P50 billion as this will entail right of way costs.  He, however, stressed the construction cost would only amount to P5 billion to P7 billion.

 Ang said the runway could take two years to build.

However, Ang said the Philippines would ultimately need a new airport, which he proposed as early as  last year.

“We still need a new airport. If we reach 100 hourly landings, that would only be good until 2024 or 2025. Ultimately, we need a brand new airport with four runways,” he said.

 Earlier reports said  the Cyberbay reclamation area was the possible site for the proposed airport.

Ang said all these efforts were meant to help the government with its infrastructure needs.

He said the conglomerate would continue to participate in infrastructure projects under the government’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program but declined to specify which projects.

Meanwhile, Ang disclosed that three of San Miguel’s major projects – the Naia Express Way, the Tarlac-Pangasinan La Union Expressway and the Nlex-Slex connector road – are facing delays because of right of way issues.