Manila to turn Clark into aviation, business center

Manila to turn Clark into aviation, business center

MANILA (AFP): The Philippines unveiled over the weekend an 8.
1-billion-dollar development master plan to turn the former U.S.
Clark Air Base north of Manila into a bustling aviation and
business center in the next 28 years.

The state-run Clark Development Corp. said the plan would be
centered on the construction of an international airport and
aviation complex, equipped with a new 4,000-meter (13,200-foot)
runway and a terminal capable of handling 50 million passengers a
year by 2025.

It said the airport and a modern rapid railway and road
network connecting Clark to the capital, which is about 80
kilometers (50 miles) away, would cost about US$6.6 billion.

The 2,220-hectare (5,483-acre) aviation complex aims to
replace Manila as the Philippines' premier international airport.

Development of the rest of Clark's 4,440-hectare (10,967-acre)
fenced area into a residential, business and tourism enclave is
projected to cost $1.5 billion, the agency said in a statement.

The blueprint, drawn up by a consortium led by the US-British
firm Tarmac, Black and Veatch (TBV) Aviation, was presented to
President Fidel Ramos on Friday at the presidential palace.
An official at the palace said the plan was approved.

"The masterplan for the main zone is an adaptable framework
that maximizes functional viability of Clark and phases the
development of Clark as the site of the country's premier
international airport," said Clark Development Corp. head Romeo
David.

Aside from the physical plan, the development blueprint also
contains a "business plan that is seen to generate a total of
$70.6 billion in income in the next 30 years," the statement
said.

U.S. troops abandoned Clark Air Base, home of the U.S. 13th
Air Force, in 1991 because of damage sustained by the eruption of
nearby Pinatubo volcano.

The strategic air base played a key role for U.S. bombers
during the Vietnam War. It also contained a sprawling bombing
range extensively used for training by U.S. pilots.