The proposed new airport to replace the old Manila international airport should be restudied.
I googled the proposed site and found that it will be situated 35 kilometers northwest of Manila, which means it is already within a high population density area. A few kilometers north and east are flood-prone areas. Its western boundary will be the Manila Bay. This means that only a limited housing area surrounding the proposed new airport can accommodate the population decongestion of Metro Manila.
The new and large airport will need an array of elevated highways that shall traverse flood-prone areas. Isn’t it reasonable to say that costs will be higher compared to building these arteries on a flat surface?
I think the best solution for all the problems of Metro Manila—overpopulation, air traffic congestion, Edsa traffic, water shortage, criminality, drugs, etc.—is decongestion.
A look at the map tells us that situating a new airport somewhere within the Batangas-Cavite area is best. The area is vast, fairly flat, elevated and flood-free. This is a good and large enough place where the population of Metro Manila can relocate.
ANTONIO SOTELO,
antonio.e.sotelo@gmail.com