JV Ejercito bats for railway-linked airports for convenient public access
December 12, 2022
To make airport transfers more convenient for
passengers, Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Monday said the national
government should invest more in linking the country’s major airports through
railways.
In a manifestation during the Senate’s plenary
session, Ejercito said many passengers are burdened by the absence of mass
transport systems that can facilitate the transfer of travelers from one
airport to another.
“Iyong seamless transfer from one terminal to
another, wala tayo nun. So, if you have a flight in another terminal, nako, it
will be disastrous. If you are a foreigner, I’m sure you will already miss your
flight," he said.
Ejercito said the North-South Commuter Link
and Metro Manila Subway System will play a crucial role in connecting the Ninoy
Aquino International Airport with other major airports in Luzon, such as the
Clark International Airport and the planned Bulacan Aerotropolis.
“Iyon pong North-South Commuter Line (and) the
Metro Manila Subway System are essential for the operations of these new
airports. Kaya nga, when the budget was slashed, nag-alala ako kasi we will
experience delays and further experience more inconveniences,” he said.
“We have to prioritize this because it is not
only for the convenience of passengers, of the riding public. I think it will
really stimulate economic growth,” he added.
The lawmaker from San Juan was the staunchest
defender of the said railway projects, which were almost defunded in earlier
versions of the 2023 national budget.
Funding for both railway projects was restored
prior Congress’ bicameral conference on the said budget.
Ejercito also urged the Department of
Transportation (DOTr) to persuade airline companies to park more airbuses at
the Clark International Airport to decongest passenger traffic at the Ninoy
Aquino International Airport.
“Iyon pong Clark International Airport,
sayang. We spent P12 billion there. We were able to increase the capacity from
two million passengers annually to 12 million (pero) hindi ginagamit. During
the pandemic, all of the airlines transferred here,” he said.
“Probably, with the DOTr, we can also ask Secretary
Jim Bautista, dapat oligahin niyo ito. [...] Bakit natin hahayaan ang mga
airlines na to to dictate? We can dictate,” he added.
