Nayong Pilipino closes June 3

After several false alarms, the Nayong Pilipino cultural theme park will definitely close on June 3, park Executive Director Charito Planas said yesterday. Planas, however, also expressed uncertainty if the new Nayong Pilipino she envisions will re-open in 2004.

"It depends if NAIA will be able to pay us the remaining P450-million for the construction of the new park," Planas said. She is now seeking the help of investors and private institutions to ensure the construction of a new cultural park. Planas revealed that the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) "is still raising" the P50-million initial payment for the 8.6 hectare of land the Nayong Pilipino Foundation Inc. ceded to the airport authority in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

A dual taxiway for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 will be built on the said portion of the park.

Planas said NPFI and MIAA have yet to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) because "MIAA has to give us the P50-million check as soon as we sign it."

NPFI had asked for P500-million compensation package for the 8.6 hectares. MIAA will pay the remaining P450-million until 2004. Planas further said that MIAA still owes NPFI some P2-million in rent for a portion of the park’s property the Airport Authority used as parking space. – Nikko Dizon