02/09/2009 [ tribune.net.ph ]
The Nayong Pilipino park which has been idle for almost six years now would be converted into a cargo terminal to accommodate the growing freight and cargo services at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said the proposed cargo terminal is envisioned to become the country’s biggest cargo terminal to service the more than 1,000 freight forwarders and hold shipments coming from abroad.
Both MIAA and the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) which owns the idle lot have yet to meet to discuss the joint project which stands near the NAIA 1 and 2.
PRA general manager Andrea Domingo said they already received a letter from the MIAA for the proposed project but there was no exact scheduled meeting yet between the two government agencies to forge the deal.
At present, the market value of Nayong Pilipino lot is P15,000 per square meter which was described by MIAA officials as too expensive.
“Instead of buying the lot, the MIAA will offer a joint venture with the PRA where both government agencies will benefit and gain profit from it,” MIAA officials said.
Although an air cargo terminal was built near the NAIA Terminal 3, the cargo was too small to accommodate the big volume of shipments coming from different countries.
The Nayong Pilipino which was built in 1969 has stood as one of country’s outstanding cultural symbols. It showcases the wealth and diversity of the country’s cultural heritage through its parks, museums, cultural shows, lagoon, aviary and famed miniature versions of famous sites in the Philippine archipelago.
But the park’s operation was stopped in 2002 when almost nine hectares of its 46-hectare property were converted into a parallel taxiway and service road connecting NAIA 2 and 3.
This was in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization flight and safety standards. The nine hectares included the Tagalog, Visayas and Mindanao attractions.
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