CLARK, Pampanga -- President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Saturday led the inspection of the newly completed passenger terminal building of the Clark International Airport (CRK), another major infrastructure project under his administration’s Build, Build, Build Program.

Speaking during the event held in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, President Duterte said the newly completed structure reflects the administration’s unyielding commitment to improve the quality of life of every Filipino by providing big ticket infrastructure projects that will improve connectivity, mobility, create jobs, and disperse economic activity to the regions.

“This development will also certainly boost economic growth in North and Central Luzon and provide these regions their own gateway to the rest of the Philippines and the world,” he said.

“As we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and adapt to a new normal, may we all look forward to a safer, easier, and more comfortable travel experience here at the Clark International Airport.”

President Duterte commended the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and all government partners from the private sector for the major achievement.

The newly completed terminal building is another major component of the administration’s Build, Build, Build Program that will benefit the people, he said.

The facility is the first hybrid public-private partnership (PPP) project completed under the Build, Build, Build program. It can accommodate eight million passengers a year, twice the airport’s current average capacity of more than four million passengers every year.

The completion of the new terminal building will ease traffic at the busy Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and at the same time provide locals and tourists a better flying experience.

The CRK is envisioned to be one of the biggest aviation complexes in Asia and the next premier gateway in the region.

Also present Saturday were former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, House Speaker Lord Allan Jay Velasco, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, French Ambassador to the Philippines Michèle Boccoz, and other government officials. (PND)