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NEW GATEWAY Artists’ rendition of the P734 billion New Manila International Airport to be erected in Bulakan. / Contributed
MANILA, Philippines – The director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has warned that the site where San Miguel Aerocity Inc. will build the P740 billion domestic and international airport in Bulacan is prone to tremors and liquefaction.
During a Senate public services committee hearing on Wednesday, Phivolcs director Dr. Renato Solidum said that although the site of the proposed “New Manila International Airport” in the coastal areas of the city of Bulakan is far from any fault system, it is prone to strong earthquakes and liquefaction. San Miguel Aerocity Inc., a subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation (SMC).
“Just to be very specific about the facts is that he is far from blame. But since it is supported by sand with a shallow water table, it is prone to strong shaking and soil liquefaction, ”Solidum said.
Liquefaction, according to the United States Geological Survey, occurs when “loose and waterlogged packed sediments on or near the soil surface lose their strength in response to strong ground shaking.”
However, Solidum said such hazards can be mitigated as long as the airport is “properly designed and built.”
Aside from the ground shaking, Solidum also pointed to flood hazards at the airport site, a concern that environmental groups have long raised.
“Now, in the aspect of flood hazards, then the area has to make sure that the proper drainage systems are in place and, as SMC explained, they are doing it to avoid flooding in the airport area and also in the adjacent municipalities.” Solidum said. .
“The area is already prone to flooding, as we speak, but it is important that they can make it less prone to flooding, then we can improve it for the community,” he added.
SMC previously said it was ready to build a multi-billion dollar flood control program to mitigate perennial floods in Bulacán once it receives the project start signal.
Melissa Encanto-Tagarda, SMC’s head of government relations, said the company has turned to foreign partners who are experts in airport construction and security designs.
The proposed international airport, which is located on a 2,500-hectare property in the city of Bulakan, Bulacan and will be called SMC Aerocity, recently received its franchise from the House of Representatives and is now seeking Senate approval.
The franchise allows SMC to own and operate the four-runway air facility for domestic and international flights for 50 years, including tax breaks during the construction period.
/ MUF
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