Lawmakers from the National Unity Party (NUP) have joined the call urging President Benigno Aquino III to put on the fast track the construction of a high-speed railway system that will connect Metro Manila to Clark  and pave the way for the airport’s  development  as the country’s new international gateway.

NUP congressmen from Central Luzon, who include Representatives Enrique Garcia (2^nd district, Bataan), Magnolia Antonino-Nadres (4^th district, Nueva Ecija), and Gavini Pancho (2^nd district, Bulacan), have joined 22 of their colleagues in co-authoring Resolution 230 recommending the building of the “bullet-train” system to the President, through Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

The resolution, principally authored by Rep. Linabelle Ruth  Villarica (4^th district, Bulacan), cited the urgency of transforming Clark into a premier airport, due to the aviation issues now facing the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Metro Manila, particularly its congested runway which have caused numerous flight delays.

"Compared to its Asian counterparts, (NAIA) has limited runway capacity and its land area can no longer be subject to expansion. It is at present insufficient to address the growing demands of air transportation system, thus affecting our international linkages especially in business and tourism,” the resolution stated.

The lawmakers noted that Clark is the best choice in supplementing NAIA’s capacity in terms of security and safety concerns and capacity for expansion. 

The airport in Clark, Pampanga has a land area of about 2,500 hectares, with two existing runways. The large area still has room for a third and fourth runway.

Clark, which is located inside the largest former military base in Asia,  is also a fully operational airport with daily flights linking it to major cities in Asia. Airline passengers from Clark are transported to Metro Manila through air-conditioned shuttle buses, which take about 90 to 120 minutes via the North Luzon Expressway.

A high-speed railway system will reduce travel time from Manila to Clark to only 30 minutes. 

"The only missing link to make it a premier international airport and attract investors is a high-speed railway system that will connect Metro Manila, particularly NAIA to Clark. The unprecedented development of Central Luzon hinges on Clark becoming a premier international airport," the resolution said.

The resolution is also co-authored by Pampanga Representatives Joseller "Yeng" Guiao (1st District), Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2nd District), Oscar Rodriguez (3rd District), and Juan Pablo Bondoc (4th District); Tarlac Representatives Enrique Cojuangco (1st District), Susan Yap (2nd District) and Noel Villanueva (3rd District); Bataan Rep. Herminia Roman (1st District); Zambales Representatives Jeffrey Khonghun (1st District) and Cheryl Deloso-Montalla (2nd District);

Nueva Ecija Representatives Estrellita Suansing (1st District, Joseph Gilbert Violago (2nd District), and Czarina Umali (3rd District); Bulacan Rep. Joselito Andrew Mendoza (3rd District); San Jose del Monte City Rep. Arturo Robes (Lone District); Aurora Rep. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo (Lone District); CIBAC Reps. Sherwin Tugna and Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales; Butil Rep. Agapito Guanlao; and 1-Sagip Rep. Erlinda Santiago.