BY FORCE the Americans abandoned in 1991 the then Clark Air Base – their biggest military installation outside continental USA.
By force, wielded by the mightiest volcanic eruption of the 20th century and the iron will of a nationalistic Senate that abrogated the RP-US bases agreement.
By choice, the abandonment of Clark now goes. AirAsia Phil. which set its Philippine hub at the Clark International Airport, fell short, way short, in deed where it had been long, way long, in words. That it would grow in Clark, indeed, that it would grow Clark.
Moving its operations to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport right after its acquisition of Zest Air – also a one-time CIA locator – where, in the tweets of its head honcho Tony Fernandes, there is “more choice, more value.”
Silently came Airphil Express to Clark, nearly the same time as AirAsia Phil. As quietly, Airphil Express left Clark, way ahead of its contemporary.
The coming of big leaguer Emirates Airlines to Clark in the immediate wake of AirAsia Phil’s leaving softened whatever blows it inflicted upon the CIA, primarily its feasibility as truly deserving of its international tag.
At the risk of nausea, still rings in Clark International Airport President-CEO Victor Jose Luciano’s hallelujahs to the Dubai-based airline, to wit: “Where Emirates goes, everybody goes.” And Emirates is soon to be gone from Clark – by May 1.
Doubtfully providential, and as unsurely purely coincidental, is the exodus from Clark that followed Emirates’ announcement of its exit. Not more airlines – not yet, anyway – leaving but government agencies, the service frontliners at that, catering primarily to overseas Filipino workers and travellers which make their, the offices’, presence in Clark of critical priority.
No, I am not referencing the consular office of the Department of Foreign Affairs which had long transferred to the City of San Fernando and re-moved to Robinsons Starmills; the satellite office it initially sited in Clark also moving to Marquee Mall.
No, I am not counting the regional office of the National Bureau of Investigation, having long left Clark to return to its now refurbished building at the Capitol grounds in the City of San Fernando.
Facebook has this since Easter Monday, from the pages of Department of Tourism Regional Director Ronnie Tiotuico’s account: FAST BREAKING NEWS! The Travel Tax Office of TIEZA has now moved from Clark to 3/F Main Building, SM City Pampanga (not San Fernando) together with PAGIBIG, PhilPost, SSS, POEA, OWWA and PhilHealth – all at the SM City Government Express Service. For details, please contact Ms. Kerima Joan “Kej” Sapnu (offi cer-in-charge) at 0921-242-7350 or email kejsapnu@gmail.com.
While mall hours start at 10 a.m., travel tax applicants are given special privilege to enter the mall starting at 8 a.m. up to 5 p.m. They will be asked to sign a logbook and made to wear a Visitor’s Pass (to be surrendered upon check out).
The traveling public is advised to proceed directly to this offi ce as DOT does not process travel tax payment at all… With all these mass departures and zero arrivals, what gives at Clark?
Better yet, what’s with those that manage Clark? Is it just me, or a large segment of the community, that now find credence to the charge of the Pinoy Gumising Ka Movement that a “bankruptcy of ideas” obtains, indeed, permeates the maladministration, inheres in the (mis)leadership of Clark?
It definitely is not me though – and I am not one of the many – that says those who really count have left or are leaving Clark. It is the laggards that should have long departed who are left behind, attaching themselves like barnacles to an old, rudderless boat.
Last man standing. So was Luciano monikered in the aftermath of the pogrom at the CDC and CIAC top management perpetrated at the time of the installation of the Aquino administration. Last man standing. Even moreso now is Luciano. Though the very skies fall on Clark.
Lucky Luciano.
