NO, I was not at the 2nd Clark Aviation Conference last Friday dubbed “Clark: Reshaping Philippine Aviation – The Aerotropolis Concept.”
From the pre-con press releases and the post-con accounts, what little there is in the local papers and absolutely none in the national dailies, there is nothing of substance that came out of it.
“…(A) compelling case to be an Aerotropolis, identifying the infrastructure and policy developments which will enhance Clark’s growth potential and economic impact.” So it was said of the Clark International Airport at the confab, defining the Greek-rooted term as “an urban development placing airports in the center with cities growing around them.”
Pampanga 1st District Rep. Joseller “Yeng” Guiao chest-thumped: “This is consistent not only with my own advocacy but with the clamor of various stakeholders in Pampanga and Region III to maximize both the advantages and resources of the Clark airport not only as a global aviation hub but as an economic driver of enormous potential for the province, region and the country.”
Furthered Guiao: “Indeed, as I have always reiterated in my public statements and positions, particularly in the House of Representatives, there has never been a more opportune time for government to come up with a clear-cut policy on this issue than now as the Philippines is seriously beset by aviation-related issues to which Clark presents viable, sound and logical solutions.”
And dramatically: “To my mind, the Clark airport must be a government priority NOW. I am gratified, therefore, that the GGLC (Global Gateways Logistics City) is pushing this agenda to a new and different level where it should create more impact and generate greater urgency and support among the decisionmakers and stakeholders.”
Comically, now: No impact. No urgency. All quiet on the Clark front among the decisionmakers and stakeholders.
And why not? The 2nd Clark Aviation Conference – when was the 1st ? – was but a rehash of the Guiao-initiated “Clark Challenge: Stakeholders’ Summit” last January – was that the 1st ?.
From the long-winded lecture of Bases Conversion Development Authority President- CEO Arnel Paciano Casanova to the illusions of CIAC President-CEO Victor Jose Luciano, it was same-same, like-like. As a toddler would put it.
Guiao himself on rewind there of his Clark Challenge, thus: “What we hope to achieve is to encourage the President to declare a national policy on the concrete role the Clark Freeport should play in the country’s economic development.”
Clear-cut policy. National policy. On Clark. Guiao desired then, Guiao desires now. Really, same-same. Which puts some contradiction in the mercurial coach vis-à-vis his post-Challenge confab statements.
Just last February 3, Sun-Star Pampanga bannered: “Guiao lauds PNoy for Clark dev’t plan.” And gushed: “The swift response of Malacañang came just a day after Guiao delivered his privilege speech at the House of Representatives, where he urged the President to issue a concrete policy statement on Clark and its airport.
The appeal was a result of the consolidated inputs of the Clark Challenge: Stakeholders’ Summit some two weeks ago. “We are very much elated about President Aquino prioritizing the development of Clark. His giving attention to it is a manifestation that he wants to leave a legacy to the region where he comes from,” said Guiao.
All this hullaballoo on the say-so of Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma: “Bibigyan po ng prayoridad ng pamahalaan ang Clark development sa ilalim ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Aquino (The government will give priority to Clark development under the administration of President Aquino).”
Ah, how we lambasted Guiao then for taking a press release for a policy statement! Blissful ignorance, we titled a column dedicated to his actions then. Blissful ignorance still now. On the very day of the 2nd Clark Aviation Conference, the media was all agog about San Miguel Corp. seeking to build a new $10-billion international airport in Manila.
SMC President Ramon Ang pinpointing the site for this new airport along the Cyberbay reclamation area. And – most importantly – that SMC had presented the plans for the airport to President BS Aquino III.
The ramifications of this new development for Clark and the strategies to pursue Clark’s international gateway status should have comprised the agenda for the 2nd Clark Aviation Conference. Ignorantly, it was not so.
The conferees blissful with their perfunctory lip service to the wonders of Clark. Still wonder why nothing of substance came out of it? We concluded that earlier column thus: E mu tatasan ing camulalalan da reng Capampangan (Do not underestimate the gullibility of the Capampangan).
We would like to conclude differently now: Emu tatasan ing camulalan da reng manungculan. The gullibility is not in the Capampangan anymore but in his leaders.
