JICA study cites urgency of NAIA situation

As if we didn’t already know, still another JICA study has concluded that “unless adequate air transport infrastructure is developed as soon as possible, NAIA and the Philippine nation could lose its competitive edge further… the runway capacity at NAIA is already almost saturated and the development of a new gateway airport in GCR (Greater Capital Region) is an urgent need.”

The latest study submitted to our government last May, discussed an “Airport Strategy for Greater Capital Region in the Republic of the Philippines.” I went through the study and there was nothing there that was new. I still wonder why we needed another study on top of past studies that told us the same general conclusions. A sane person would think the time has come to start implementing the recommendations of these studies.

A chapter of this new study compares NAIA with other gateway airports in the region and came to the conclusion that our gateway is grossly inadequate. We have fallen so much behind our neighbors it is no longer funny. The only conclusion I can have is that we have had a series of incompetent and possibly corrupt people at CAAP and NAIA who have failed and continue to fail to do what the taxpayers are paying them to do.

The new JICA study reports that “as far as the international passenger and cargo movements are concerned, the gateway airports in Asia handled twice or more the traffic levels than NAIA in 2009. The numbers of operating airlines for international routes as well as number of cities connected by international flights at NAIA are also very small when compared to the comparison gateway airports in Asia.”

That tells me whoever will replace Bertie Lim at the tourism department will be hard pressed to improve his tourism arrival numbers because of this serious airport constraint. Airline officials tell me there are no more slots to be had at NAIA for new flights. So how will these tourists we hope to attract get into the country? NAIA handles 90 percent of international flights.

Even this JICA study pointed out that this inadequacy at NAIA is an old story covered by past studies. “It is likely that the capacity constraint at NAIA (which has been recognized as an issue at least since the 1980’s when DOTC conducted the Manila International Airport – Alternate Site - Preliminary Engineering Study) is considered to be one of the main reasons behind the current NAIA’s lower status as the country’s premier gateway airport when compared to other Asian airports.”

What should be done? The JICA study is pretty clear on the next steps and there should be no more excuses for DOTC or calls for new studies. Here are the common sense recommendations of JICA:

One, the next gateway airport to serve GCR should be developed as soon as possible.

Two, the new gateway airport should have ample land area necessary to develop a high capacity runway system as well as terminal facilities.

Three, the new gateway airport should have an ultimate capacity sufficient enough to accommodate the entire airport demand of GCR in the long-term (equivalent to year 2040).

Four, the minimum travel time between Manila CBD and DMIA of 45 minutes should be achieved.

In the meantime, the JICA study sadly concludes we will be at a serious competitive disadvantage to our neighbors. “Given typical timelines for airports to bring additional runway capacity online, it is clear that NAIA will suffer growth constraints leading to increasingly low levels of service, high levels of congestion and excessive aircraft delays deviating from acceptable industry standards.

“In summary, the Philippines appears to be in an unenviable position of not being able to expand its major international gateway airport (also its primary domestic hub) and not having any firm plans in place for establishing a new gateway airport to replace NAIA. The result is a constrained growth scenario for NAIA which is particularly negative for the country’s economic development ambitions. Airport capacity and ease of airport access and transfer has long been recognized as critical to a country’s competitive position and attractiveness as a place to do business and as a tourism destination.”

Clark

 It seems to me, based on the JICA study, that there is no escaping having Clark as the new gateway airport to Metro Manila. The earlier government acts, the better it will be for all of us. It takes from 10 to 15 years to fully develop an international gateway airport.

The JICA study points out that it is high time for such an agreement “for DMIA (Clark) to be an acceptable and successful gateway airport solution for the GCR it must be packaged together with upgraded highway and high speed rail connections into the heart of the business (Makati City) and Government centers (Metro Manila) of Manila.” Said the JICA study:

“The distance from Metro Manila and the current lack of express railway access makes it difficult for DMIA to be an alternative airport of NAIA. Presently, only road transportation is available and the required journey time from the city center to the North Luzon Expressway is unpredictable because of traffic congestion in Metro Manila. This congestion results in unpredictable journey times which can range from less than two hours to more than three hours between Manila and DMIA. The completion of NLEX-SLEX connecting link is expected to contribute to an improvement in the accessibility of DMIA.”

That’s not all. “There is concern,” the JICA study points out, “that the existing North Rail project does not meet the requirements of providing a high speed rail connection to DMIA from the heart of business in Manila (Makati City) and Government centers (Metro Manila)… The North Rail project has not been conceived as an airport rail system to service DMIA as Manila’s major gateway airport.”

But the study also took note “that alternative rail solutions have been proposed by others. The next phase of this Study will investigate appropriate high speed rail options and solutions… these may include increased PPP participation for the Connectors to NLEX and the Skyway in Metro Manila which envisage utilization of the PNR’s rights of way or the construction of a double deck elevated structure for transportation infrastructure (e.g. lower deck for high speed rail - extension from Caloocan and upper deck for a road connection).”

To me, that sounds like DOTC Secretary Mar Roxas must fasttrack proposals to build that connector expressway between SLEX and NLEX as proposed by Metro Pacific as well as the fast train system proposed also by Metro Pacific and San Miguel. I realize it is not easy for government to get anything done. But the man who would have been President must now prove he could be an effective DOTC Secretary.

I have been told that Mar and his Usecs have been going the rounds and meeting with concerned government officials and private sector entities to get their views on what needs to be done with many projects, several in the PPP list. I know there is no going around this consultation process but Mar must still speed it up. It has been two months since he took over and he has to show something, even something as simple as getting those escalators at MRT terminals to work. By year end, we must get an upgrade on our FAA category 2 rating. And those PPP proposals for new MRTs and regional airports must move.

No one said being DOTC Secretary is easy. But as I have said, Mar initially wanted to be President. DOTC should be a piece of cake in comparison.

 Idiot

 That idiotic POC official had some nerve to minimize the victory of our dragon boat team with such disparaging words as “ampaw” and “matatanda!” The team brought honor to the country… more than can be said for our sports forays under the auspices of the POC. The dragon boat team showed what heights our athletes can achieve if the blood sucking leeches known as professional sports officials are not involved.

Congratulations to the team and to P-Noy for giving dragon boat team due recognition on behalf of a grateful Filipino nation.

Shocking

 This was sent by Jose Villaescusa.

 Surgeon to patient: We need you to be unconscious during the operation. Would you prefer an injection or a quick peek at your hospital bill?

Boo Chanco’s e-mail address is [email protected]. He is also on Twitter @boochanco