Airport Wars: Bulacan vs. NAIA, Who Will Take Off First?
A six-runway airport in Bulacan promises to replace NAIA. But can it land by 2027, or is it just another big dream?
Episode 17
Move over NAIA—Bulacan’s coming in hot. The podcasters take a closer look at the flashy New Manila International Airport project, with its six runways, mega-size claims, and San Miguel-backed ambitions to “decongest” Metro Manila.
But as they compare timelines, infrastructure gaps, and political players, one question lingers: will this massive build really land by 2027, or is it just another airport dream running smoother on paper than on pavement?
This transcript is machine-generated, and we apologize for any errors.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests, and do not necessarily reflect those of the producers, network, or sponsors. Listener discretion is advised.
Philippe: Topic of the day, Gabh.
Gabh: Okay, so topic for today is, have you guys heard about the news na Bulacan’s new Manila International Airport?
Philippe: Where in Bulacan?
Mclaine: Bulacan, Bulacan.
Gabh: Bulacan, Bulacan.
Philippe: So is this how many minutes from QC?
Mclaine: Give or take around 30 to 45.
Philippe: So is this after, okay, take me there. From Quezon City, pag exit mo, the first Bulacan is Marilao?
Mclaine: No.
Philippe: Mecauayan. Mecauayan.. After Mecauayan., Marilao?
Marilao.
Philippe: So is this after, okay, take me there. From Quezon City, pag exit mo, the first Bulacan is Marilao?
Mclaine: No.
Philippe: Mecauayan. Mecauayan.. After Mecauayan., Marilao?
Marilao.
Mclaine: Bocaue
Philippe: Bocaue
Mclaine: And the you exit Philippine Arena
Philippe: Is this new airport, lagpas ng Philippine arena for sure
Mclaine: Yes, pero after Bocaue, wala ka ng exit na pupuntahan going to the new international airport. Kasi doon sa Philippine arena ang magiging main road going to the new Manila International Airport.
Philippe: Are they preparing the road from Philippine arena? Yes. So is there a service road?
Mclaine: For now, there are just certain parts from Philippine arena going to Bucaue. So I think it’s already four lanes, one side, so eight lanes.
Philippe: So maganda siya kasi imagine pagbaba, let’s say foreigner, parating foreigner. Pagbaba niyang Bulacan, madadaan din siya ng Philippine Arena So parang tourist, ano na siya. So that’s nice. That’s nice. When is this going to happen?
Gabh: I think the estimate would be year 2027.
Philippe: No way. So two years from now. Two years from this date. So we’re already May 28. Excited. Did you congest ba ang naia?
Gabh: I guess.
Philippe: So meron na tayong three main airports na. So meron sa Clark, so Bulacan, which is closer, which is better. And then we have naia down south.
That’s great. That’s great kasi si Clark na lang, yan yung mga pabiyahi nilang up north. Si naia for down south. Tapos si Bulacan centro. That’s great for Metro Manila. It will decongest. We will feel the effect. But it’s going to provide more jobs pa. More establishments, more within the area. So that’s nice. Good for you guys, Bulacan.
Gabh: So like the specifics would be, it’s about 2,500 hectares. There would be a total of six runways. And then again, developer siyempre, San Miguel, AeroCity. And then the connectivity would be directly linked to Skyway Stage 3.
Philippe: Nice. So I’m looking forward to that. Sana world class. Sana safe. With the recent accident dun sa naia Terminal 3, very sad. But I’m sure San Miguel as a private company will do way better than what exists right now. International to. More international, local? International.
Mclaine: International.
Philippe: Question. Is this, when you say 25 hectares, is this bigger than our current sa naia?
Mclaine: I think this is the biggest in Asia. No way. As far as I know.
Philippe: That’s nice. If we have the biggest mall and we have the biggest airport in Asia, that’s something to be proud of. Check out naia. How many, like size of naia airport?
Mclaine: According to.
Philippe: I just saw a fact here. Ang naiya is 440 hectares. Pretty big. 2,500. Pretty big. So it’s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 times the size of naia. That’s exciting. And I’m pretty sure it’s going to be world class. If it’s going to be the biggest in Asia, the next thing to be proud of.
So we have the biggest mall, we have the biggest airport. You know what they have to do? They have to expand the NLEX. They should make a Commonwealth of 10 lanes. I think they should do that. Isn’t there a part of Commonwealth of 10 lanes?
8 lanes or 10 lanes? That’s a lot. And then a bottleneck, That’s a lot. Wow, I’m excited for the airport. So it’s going to increase jobs in the area of Bulacan. It’s going to increase commercial. Okay, commercial is going to increase there for sure. 2,500 hectares, 6 runways and more progress.
Economic progress. Very good. Good job. Good job, San Miguel. Good thing you closed the deal. Wait, 2,500 and in 2 years? That’s fast. That’s fast. They might be ahead of EDSA.
I want to place a bet. Who will go first? EDSA, Rehabilitation or San Miguel Airport, Bulacan? I bet you San Miguel. EDSA will extend that. Oh, it’s not done yet. San Miguel should be the one to rehabilitate EDSA. We’ll be able to travel easily. Whether local or international.
This is very good news for people. Metro Manila based from the middle to the north. And then decongestion of two airports. Actually, decongestion of Naia is Clark actually. And it’s okay. The effects is there.
Less traffic, but it’s still traffic. But this will be a game changer. 2,500 hectares is a game changer. Okay, so what do you think? Is there a disadvantage? What are the cons of having an airport nearby?
Actually, I could think of more pros. Because the land. Okay, in a real estate perspective. For those who want to buy land, buy it in Bulacan. Near the airport. It’s increasing.
Mclaine: It’s increasing. The value is increasing.
Philippe: Next that’s increasing is Valenzuela?
Mclaine: Yeah.
Philippe: Valenzuela?
Mclaine: Next city. After Bulacan.
Philippe: Forget Bulacan province. Because Bulacan is Manila. What’s next before Quezon City?
Valenzuela? Yeah, Valenzuela. The value of the land there is increasing. Quezon City is more. Right? More because the value of Quezon City is increasing.
So anywhere from Mecauayan up to. Not just up to. Beyond Philippine Arena. It’s increasing. What’s after Philippine Arena? Is that in Bulacan?
Mclaine: Yes. Bocaue. Balagtas. Guiguinto
Philippe: Malolos.
Mclaine: Malolos. Malolos, Agunoy. Ubando.
Oh, Ubando is near Mecauayan.
Philippe: It’s big. It’s going to be a big project. It’s going to benefit a lot of Taga north. Bulacan is going to. Best investment. Bulacan. Best investment.
Mclaine: Bulacan.
Philippe: Bulacan. It’s going to have a lot of SM. Ayala. A lot of Robinson. Everything is going to. That’s the new. Let’s say. We’re going to talk about citywide. Bulacan is going to be.
Bulacan is going to be the next. Progress. Down south. Because we already have Alabang. What else is down south? Not much. Batangas. Next progressive cities and province. Bulacan.
Metro Manila. The progress I saw. The train. Going to Bulacan. PNR. That’s the progress.
Mclaine: Malolos to Caloocan. 30 minutes. Via the PNR. That’s how fast it is.
Philippe: Great investment for everyone.
Philippe: I love it. Progress. Ito ang talaga. This is the kind of news that we need. On a day-to-day basis. Diba?
Gabh: Yes.
Philippe: Yeah. Alright. Congrats mga Bulacenios. Lipat tayo ng Bulacan. Lipat na tayo ngayon kasi 2027 na yan. Ikaw, suwerte mo na. Nanoon ka na eh.
Mclaine: Huwag na kayo lumipat. Bumili na lang kayo ng property.
Philippe: Bukas na. Alright. Sino ngayon yung nanalo? Congrats sa ano? Sino na nalang sa Bulacan Governor ngayon?
Mclaine: Siya pa rin. Ah,
Philippe: siya pa rin?
Mclaine: Yes.
Philippe: Okay. Congrats.
Mclaine: Whoever it is. Sino ba? Governor Daniel Fernando. And then Vice Alexis Castro. Vice Gov Alex Castro.
Philippe: Congrats for your re-elected positions. Is that their last term?
Mclaine: I think so.
Philippe: Okay. So, after… Ah, nakaupo pa rin sila. So, yeah. Sila mag-inaugurate ng bagong San Miguel Airport. Sana yung susunod na governor and vice governor.
Sana tuloy-tuloy na yan yung more progress for that area. Okay, thank you. Anything else? Are we good?
Mclaine: Yeah, I’m sure we’re good.
Philippe: Okay, nope.
