CLARK FREEPORT – ‘Lockdown CRK now before it’s too late. Flatten the curve.”
Mounting calls on social media for the total lockdown of the Clark International Airport (CRK) here gained ground with Mabalacat City Mayor Crisostomo C. Garbo and Angeles City Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” G. Lazatin Jr. also joining in.
Angry netizens said it’s unfair that they closed the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NIAIA) and yet the Inter Agency Tas Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases allowed international passengers to come in via CRK.
A netizen said “there are reports that passengers from CovidD-19 stricken countries are flying in and have stayed in hotels, motels and rented rooms in the area of Barangay Dau, Mabalacat City.” But he hastened to add that “this is yet to be verified.”
In a published report, Garbo said he has asked for the suspension of operations the Clark airport and was told that flights would be halted last Friday, but it seems nothing has been done.
For his part, Lazatin said he has already signified his intention to lockdown the airport earlier since, “we do not know who has the virus, either them or we.”
He said he understands now that CRK is already on lockdown.
Denial
But the Luzon International Premiere Airport Development (LIPAD), which operates and maintains CRK, has denied that foreigners are still coming in via the CRK even as the whole island of Luzon is under enhanced community quarantine.
LIPAD spokesperson Teri Flores said only returning overseas Filipino workers are on board the incoming flights from Emirates Airlines, Qatar Airways, Asiana, and Korean Air.
Upon arrival, they are brought to various locations here and are being provided with free food and lodging as they await the lifting of community quarantines imposed in their respective destinations due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
But Flores said foreign tourists vacationing in different parts of the Philippines who were caught by the sudden imposition of the ECQ may opt to fly out back to their country via the CRK.
