GMR Group thanks BCDA, DOTr, PHL gov’t

By Mary Grace Padin

India-based GMR Group, the world’s fourth biggest airport developer, expressed thanks to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and the Philippine government for enabling it to finish works on the New Passenger Terminal Building (NPTB) of the Clark International Airport (location identifier: CRK) in Pampanga, ahead of schedule.

Srinivas Bommidala, business chairman of the GMR Group, said that the timely completion of project deadlines despite the challenges posed by the pandemic would not have been possible without their support and guidance.

“We [GMR Group] can very clearly see in the near future a bustling Clark region, supported by a capable airport and rail connection for the Metro Manila region, both of which are products of your hard work and clear direction-setting,” Bommidala said in a video message to BCDA and Philippine government officials during the recent handover ceremony of the CRK-NPTB.

The private consortium of GMR with Megawide Construction Corporation, known as Megawide-GMR Construction Joint Venture Inc. (MGCJV), wrapped up Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) works on the 110,000-square-meter project in October 2020.

Bommidala expressed optimism that the new passenger terminal will spur economic growth across the Philippines. He said that the Clark International Airport will serve as the catalyst that will transform the larger Clark economic region and other areas.

He added, “As an important gateway in the Philippines, Clark will be one of the key engines of economic growth for the country, and it is our honor that we have been able to contribute to this growth, and to the development of the Clark International Airport.”

Clark will be one of the key engines of economic growth for the country, and it is our honor that we have been able to contribute to this growth, and to the development of the Clark International Airport.“

Gratitude to the president and CEO

MGCJV Project Director Karri Lacha Reddi expressed thanks to Mr. Vince Dizon, BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer, for his guidance.

“Sir [Vince], we will remember you for your inspirational hard work, and cycling around the holidays, and providing inputs for our improvement,” Reddi said. “I still remember that President Vince has installed a telescope to monitor our progress in his office at One West Aeropark [in the Clark Freeport Zone]. You are truly inspirational and made us believe in ourselves—that we can do it together.”

A joint project of the DOTr and the BCDA, the Clark International Airport terminal project is the first hybrid publicprivate partnership (PPP) project under the government’s Build Build Build program.

Bommidala commended the Duterte administration for completing over 17 projects, which he described as an “unparalleled achievement.”

Participating in the administration’s Build Build Build program, he said, “further increased the faith and commitment of foreign investors” in the Philippines.

CRK-NPTB’s operations and management will be handled by the Luzon International Premier Airport Development (LIPAD) Corp. It is currently preparing the new terminal for full operations, targeted in June 2021.

The Clark International Airport is envisioned to be Asia’s next premier gateway, and should help decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila. With the new terminal, the airport’s passenger capacity will increase from the current four million to 12 million per year.