Mercado: Rescind EO 500A
THE master plan to integrate Clark-Subic linkages to promote global investments and travel is seriously threatened by the expected pernicious effects of a surreptitiously prepared Executive Order (EO) 500A.
Political and business leaders in the region said the controversial EO 500A, which restricts the entry of non-designated low budget airlines into the DM International Airport (DMIA) and Subic International Airport, will set back government plans to square one, impeding the flow of new investments, the generation of employment and tourism receipts in Region 3.
Local elective officials scored the apparent protection extended to the Philippine Air lines (PAL) as the low-cost carriers (LCC) would get access to the projected increase in commercial and cargo handling operations in both airports.
Until the new executive order is crafted, reportedly by a high powered lobby group of PAL, budget airlines, like Tiger Airways and Air Asia, along with ICC firms were allowed to fly to DMIA without limitations to traffic rights, capacity and air freedom (frequency) rights except payment of cargo fees and transport dues (cabotage).
The restricted entry of the non-designated budget airlines into Clark and Subic will hamper the two destinations as governmental "developmental routes". Air travel to these areas diminishes drastically.
This will derail the master plan to convert Clark-Subic economic zones as the regional logistics center, one similar to Singapore where the distribution of goods, products, and merchandise is met with speed, efficiency, and dependability.
Strongly opposing the new Executive Order is Angeles Mayor Carmelo Lazatin who will lead a move to rescind the deleterious EO 500A. Supporting Lazatin is Mabalacat Mayor Marino Morales who predicted massive negative repercussions to the employment and economic situation in the Metro Clark communities. Local investments in hotel and leisure will suffer, too.
The development strategy called for the integration of Clark-Subic resources, with Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, now almost finished, as the backbone of development, according to Victor Jose Luciano of the Clark International Airport Corporation (Ciac).
Luciano has set in motion the necessary policies and energy to upgrade the DMIA infrastructure, gearing it as the propeller of growth inside Clark Ecozone, and as the hub in the distribution of goods through air transshipment, mostly by the budget carriers.
Domestic air travelers, like those going to Macau, Singapore, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur-Kota Kinabulu routes wanted the continued operations of the budget airlines not only for leisure and tourism purposes.
Erico Limjoco, builder and local hotelier, said the low- cost carriers will promote industrial investments and employment, and the maximum attraction of Clark as new tourist destination in Southeast Asia. "Agri-business, especially ventures on high value crops including exotic fruits, vegetables, cut flowers will prosper in the sub-zone areas," said Limjoco, a travel aficionado.
As the possibility is remote that Tiger Airways and Air Asia will be granted designated airline status by their respective home countries, the prospects of the faster tourism growth, air travel and investment pursuits are dim, Mayor Morales said.
Advocates and stakeholders at the Clark airport will hold a regional forum on the move to ask the rescission of EO 500A at Clark's Hilltop on Saturday morning, November 4. Speakers include Ciac's chief Luciano who will present the DMIA development plan; Captain Ben Solis who will speak on behalf of the budget airlines; lawyer Lindon Das for the Subic Clark Alliance for Development. Assisting in the gathering, covered by both national and local media, is Ciac executive vice president Alexander Cauguiran and press relations officer Arnel San Pedro. The MCN will beam the event live, with TV commentator Sonny Lopez doing annotations.
By Ram Mercado - First Person - SunStar
Political and business leaders in the region said the controversial EO 500A, which restricts the entry of non-designated low budget airlines into the DM International Airport (DMIA) and Subic International Airport, will set back government plans to square one, impeding the flow of new investments, the generation of employment and tourism receipts in Region 3.
Local elective officials scored the apparent protection extended to the Philippine Air lines (PAL) as the low-cost carriers (LCC) would get access to the projected increase in commercial and cargo handling operations in both airports.
Until the new executive order is crafted, reportedly by a high powered lobby group of PAL, budget airlines, like Tiger Airways and Air Asia, along with ICC firms were allowed to fly to DMIA without limitations to traffic rights, capacity and air freedom (frequency) rights except payment of cargo fees and transport dues (cabotage).
The restricted entry of the non-designated budget airlines into Clark and Subic will hamper the two destinations as governmental "developmental routes". Air travel to these areas diminishes drastically.
This will derail the master plan to convert Clark-Subic economic zones as the regional logistics center, one similar to Singapore where the distribution of goods, products, and merchandise is met with speed, efficiency, and dependability.
Strongly opposing the new Executive Order is Angeles Mayor Carmelo Lazatin who will lead a move to rescind the deleterious EO 500A. Supporting Lazatin is Mabalacat Mayor Marino Morales who predicted massive negative repercussions to the employment and economic situation in the Metro Clark communities. Local investments in hotel and leisure will suffer, too.
The development strategy called for the integration of Clark-Subic resources, with Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, now almost finished, as the backbone of development, according to Victor Jose Luciano of the Clark International Airport Corporation (Ciac).
Luciano has set in motion the necessary policies and energy to upgrade the DMIA infrastructure, gearing it as the propeller of growth inside Clark Ecozone, and as the hub in the distribution of goods through air transshipment, mostly by the budget carriers.
Domestic air travelers, like those going to Macau, Singapore, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur-Kota Kinabulu routes wanted the continued operations of the budget airlines not only for leisure and tourism purposes.
Erico Limjoco, builder and local hotelier, said the low- cost carriers will promote industrial investments and employment, and the maximum attraction of Clark as new tourist destination in Southeast Asia. "Agri-business, especially ventures on high value crops including exotic fruits, vegetables, cut flowers will prosper in the sub-zone areas," said Limjoco, a travel aficionado.
As the possibility is remote that Tiger Airways and Air Asia will be granted designated airline status by their respective home countries, the prospects of the faster tourism growth, air travel and investment pursuits are dim, Mayor Morales said.
Advocates and stakeholders at the Clark airport will hold a regional forum on the move to ask the rescission of EO 500A at Clark's Hilltop on Saturday morning, November 4. Speakers include Ciac's chief Luciano who will present the DMIA development plan; Captain Ben Solis who will speak on behalf of the budget airlines; lawyer Lindon Das for the Subic Clark Alliance for Development. Assisting in the gathering, covered by both national and local media, is Ciac executive vice president Alexander Cauguiran and press relations officer Arnel San Pedro. The MCN will beam the event live, with TV commentator Sonny Lopez doing annotations.
By Ram Mercado - First Person - SunStar
posted by OlongapoCity Zambales at
7:48 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home