BEING groomed as "Asia's Next Premier Gateway," the Clark International Airport (CRK) is expected to "spur economic growth, boost connectivity and mobility" in the northern parts of Luzon, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Sunday.

Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade said the airport, which is equipped with "state-of-the-art" facilities, will create a "multiplier effect" that will redound to the hospitality and tourism industries in Central Luzon.

"This is now a reality waiting to be used. This facility is filled with features, many of which had been unthinkable in the Republic of the Philippines, in the history of this country," he said.

President Duterte was quoted in the same statement as saying that the completion of the airport facility, developed by Megawide Construction Corp., is reflective of the government's push for more infrastructure despite the pandemic.

"This structure before us reflects the administration's unyielding commitment to improve the quality of life of every Filipino by providing big-ticket infrastructure projects such as this that will improve connectivity, mobility, create jobs, and spur economic activity in the regions," he said.

The new passenger terminal building can accommodate 8 million passengers on its opening year, almost tripling the airport's passenger capacity from the current 4.2 million to 12.2 million annually.

CRK is equipped for contactless baggage handling, passenger check-ins and check-outs, and an ordering system that will make travel by air hassle-free and effortless.

It also features gender-inclusive and PWD-friendly restrooms, advanced docking guidance system, and a Heroes Lounge for soldiers, police officers, and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

CRK will also be connected to the Philippine National Railways (PNR) via the North-South Commuter Railways (NSCR) Program, reducing travel time between Metro Manila and the airport to just 55 minutes.

"This is one facility by the Build, Build, Build team that we can truly be proud of, not only as a Kapampangan, but most importantly as a citizen of the country. Dati pa-drawing drawing lang. Ngayon, ito at ginawa at ginawa. Ito po 'yung naging bunga [Before, this was just on drawings. Now, it's done. This is the fruit of that effort]," Tugade said.

Megawide and partner GMR Infrastructure Ltd., the consortium that developed the modern Mactan-Cebu International Airport, won the deal in 2017.

Operations of the CRK will begin within the year as part of efforts to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) in Manila.

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