CLARK FREEPORT —Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the operational flexibility of the Clark International Airport Corp.is an important step in helping investors cope with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a recent meeting with the aviation sector of the Department of Transportation, Secretary Tugade expressed his support on the recommendation of CIAC President Aaron Aquino to implement policies that will provide assistance to certain locators at the Clark Civil Aviation Complex whose businesses were among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I understand and support your recommendation, Aaron. We need to extend help to locators, especially those who were impacted by the pandemic, in the context of what is right and proper, and what is consistent with existing government rules and regulations,” Tugade said.
The CIAC chief said the pandemic-fueled business uncertainty calls for operational flexibility as an investment strategy in dealing with locators without detriment to the government.
“Bayanihan also means helping (CIAC investors) so they may promptly recover and help the government in its landside business development projects that will readily create revenue sources,” Aquino said.
In July, CIAC imposed a deferred collection of lease rentals and granted locators a 30-day grace period from the last due date of their rental payments.
Aquino noted that some locators of CIAC wish to extend lease agreements or are looking for a middle ground on rental issues or extension in the period of payments.
“We’re going to extend lease agreements (of locators) on a case-to-case basis so hopefully this move will serve as springboards for them to recover from the sudden business disruption and income loss,” Aquino added.
The Clark Civil Aviation Complex managed by CIAC is home to the privately-run Clark International Airport, as well as the mixed-use business district Clark Global City, and currently around 45 locators in cargo and aviation-related businesses.
