Also pushing for the Clark airport agenda is former Nueva Ecija Rep. Rodolfo Welborn Antonino, prospective candidate for governor of his home province in next year’s election.
“Clark airport is perfect,” Antonino said at last Friday’s Balitaan forum of the Capampangan in Media Inc. at the Bale Balita provhere, citing the “expansive space” as well as its “long parallel runways.”
“With everything all set in Clark, I do not understand why Sangley is still being pushed for an international airport,” Antonino added. “Kailangan pang mag-reclaim sa dagat doon at kung anoano pang dapat umpisahin.
Malaking gastos (There is a need to reclaim land and start building a lot of things. The expense is massive).”
“Paano kami pupunta doon, napakalayo (And how are we (Nueva Ecija folk) going to get there, it’s too far.”
Antonino said Nueva Ecija, as well as the rest of Central Luzon will be direct beneficiaries of a fully developed Clark airport: “Sa lapit namin sa Clark, tiyak na aangat ang kabuhayan sa aming probinsiya, lalo na ang turismo ((With our
proximity to Clark, the local economy is certain to rise, especially tourism).”
The long-time solon said Nueva Ecija has “enormous” tourism potential that has remained largely untapped: “We have many waterfalls, and rivers for the adventurous. An upland area in Pantabangan rivals the climate of Baguio, while maintaining its pristine state.”
Antonino is set to contest the Nueva Ecija gubernatorial race against three-term Rep. Czarina “Cherry” Domingo Umali of the Liberal Party. She is the wife of incumbent Gov. Aurelio Umali who will in turn run for her House seat.
