MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte ordered Sangley Point in Cavite to begin handling domestic flights by November in light of flight delays and cancellations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte approved the proposal of Department of Transportation secretary Arthur Tugade during a Cabinet meeting on Monday.
“For implementation na ‘yun… Gusto ni Presidente Duterte, masyadong matagal ang December, November na lang,” Panelo said. “He’s in a hurry. He wants to fix all these things.”
“Secretary Tugade reported that he had already initiated the testing of ferries that can operate from Mall of Asia to Sangley within 18-24 minutes,” Panelo added.
Panelo said once the Sangley airport becomes operational, Duterte wants a single military or civilian entity in charge of security.
Sangley Point, known as Danilo Atienza Air Base in Cavite City, has long been eyed for conversion into an international airport due to the congestion woes at NAIA in Pasay City.
Duterte conducted a surprise inspection in NAIA on Monday as arrivals at Terminal 2 were delayed for hours on Sunday due to a lightning alert.
He promised for a quick solution to the airport problems. /PN
