Phivolcs warns SMC of airport hazards

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raises concerns about the safety of the site for the proposed New Manila International Airport in Bulacan. 

Renato Solidum, Director of Phivolcs, says that “the multi-billion airport is sitting on soft ground and the location is prone to frequent flooding,” in a virtual hearing last Wednesday, September 23.

He also noted that “this river environment requires special engineering interventions to make buildings and infrastructure resilient to hazards due to earthquake events or to weather-related activities such as heavy rainfall.” 

In response, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) assured in a statement that it has considered these hazards in the engineering design of the project. The corporation also said that they have reached out to foreign partners specializing in airport construction to ensure that issues are addressed.

The P734 billion endeavor by SMC is expected to be three times larger than the current Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA); it is to be built on a 2500-hectare coastal property in the municipality of Bulakan, Bulacan.

SMC will own and operate the airport for 50 years before it will be turned over to the national government.

Following final Senate approval last Wednesday, the project is scheduled to push through with construction by October.

LAYOUT BY: John Romvi Y. Manaloto

PHOTO SOURCE(S): Inquirer.net, Philvocs.dost.gov.ph, CNN