Fears of Clark investors, workers over revived airport firm allayed

CLARK FIELD, Pampanga — The Clark Development Corp. (CDC) assured 25 investors, including the United Parcels Service (UPS), and personnel of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) that there will be no major changes when the revived Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) takes over the airport’s management and operations next month.

All contractual obligations entered into between the CDC and the investors would not be affected by the takeover, according to DMIA general manager Bienvenido Manga.

Manga also downplayed the airport employees’ fears, saying that their retention was one of the terms in the agreement between the CDC and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).

Some investors reportedly were worried over the recent statement of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) general manager Edgar Manda that he would allow major fuel firms to operate the DMIA’s fuel farm in a cooperative set-up to curb a monopoly in the aircraft fuel supply.

For years now, Lubwell Corp. has been operating the fuel farm at the DMIA and has even started installing fuel hydrants. Lubwell is one of the major aviation fuel suppliers in the United States.

The CDC cited Lubwell’s competitive capability and "stringent and safety standards."

"Lubwell is prepared to face the future, responding to customer’s needs with speed and flexibility, aggressively and efficiently, with world-class quality products and services with the highest regard for safety standards," Manga said.

"There is nothing to worry about," he told the investors and DMIA employees.

Manga said the CIAC’s incorporation papers are now being processed.

The CIAC was integrated into the CDC in 2002, but President Arroyo resurrected it a few weeks ago to boost the Clark airport’s development and attract foreign airlines to use the facility.

The CIAC board will be composed of three representatives each from the MIAA and the CDC and a seventh member whom the President will designate.

The MIAA would own 20 percent of the corporation, and the CDC, the rest.

Manga said Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza will chair the CIAC, while CDC president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Angeles will act as co-chairman.

Manga said the CIAC’s takeover of the DMIA will enable the MIAA to funnel some P100 million for the upgrading of the airport’s facilities.

Earlier, the CDC worked out the installation of an $11-million aviation radar here. The radar is expected to be put up in 18 months.