THE Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) is planning to construct an air terminal dedicated for local and international cargo as part of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. MIAA general manager Alfonso Cusi said a separate cargo terminal was not included in the original design of Terminal
3. "We have to build this terminal to improve the efficiency of the airport once it becomes operational that will eventually decongest its nearby ports since
we plan to divert all cargo traffic to the new terminal," he explained. MIAA expects to start construction of the cargo terminal adjacent to Terminal 3 within the year. It will be operational by 2007 or early 2008. Cusi said MIAA expects to spend $100 million for the cargo terminal. MIAA is still working on the term sheet
for the $300-million loan from Development Bank of the Philippines and other financing institutions, a portion of which will go to the cargo terminal. Cusi said he
expects the term sheet to be finalized this month and the release of the loan within the first quarter of the year. "We are preparing not more than $200 million for just compensation for Piatco. The remaining balance will be used to fund the construction of a cargo terminal, a domestic annex, if needed, and other completion works," Cusi said. He added the cargo terminal will also address the clamor of cargo forwarders for a dedicated facility for their operations. Airlift Asia chair Rico Brizuela, who is also president of the Philippine International Seafreight Forwarders Association, earlier said the government must set up a dedicated cargo terminal like the ones in Singapore, Hong Kong or even in Thailand where cargo airlines, customs, immigration and other support government units are located in one complex. "When the proper infrastructure is in place, additional investors will be attracted to come in. This will translate to additional cargo and revenue not only for the carriers and freight forwarders operating in the Philippines, but also for the government in terms of additional tax collections, not to mention the unemployed work force that will be provided with jobs. Increased cargo traffic will definitely encourage more airlines or carriers to expand their operations/capacity in our country," Brizuela explained.
