DMIA or CIA

Some favor the move for sentimental reasons and because the name "Clark" has been known since the Americans used it as one of their biggest overseas military bases.

“Gusto ko na palitan na, na gawing Clark International Airport,” said Ofelia Erum.

A plan to change the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport's name (DMIA) back to the original Clark International Airport has drawn mixed reactions from the public
Others said using "Clark" will avoid confusion.

“Sa abroad, hindi nila alam ang DMIA. Ang alam nila Clark International Airport o Clark Airbase,” said retired Lt. Cristobal Erum.

Clark International Airport was renamed Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in 2003 during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Although the Clark airport was changed to Diosdado Macapagal in 2003, its international code remains CRK.

While there was a justification for Arroyo to name it after her father Diosdado—it’s in Pampanga province and he was its favorite son—Cony Romero, one of the workers at the Clark museum thinks the renaming was too political.

"Dapat alisin na ‘yung DMIA. ‘Yung Clark original na name niya ‘yun,” said Romero.

Others, however, believe that removing the name of the former president's father is also political.

“Siguro kung icha-change nila sa Clark International Airport, magiging pulitika din knowing the fact na nag-change na nga ng administration. For me it’s OK to use Diosdado Macapagal International Airport,” said Lorin Malonas, a call center agent.

The discussion has also hit social networking sites and is a popular topic among Kapampangans.

Nelson Mallari, an Aeta who has lived in Clark for most of his life, thinks changing names was never a good idea to begin with.

“Kung ano ‘yung dating traditional na katawagan, dapat ‘yun ang masusunod para hindi na masabi na nagiging biased sa pulitika,” he said.

Victor Luciano, president of Clark International Airport Corporation, has offered a compromise: the terminal building will remain Diosdado Macapagal but the airport will be Clark again.

Angeleños Favor 'DMIA' Over 'CIA'

"Angeleños favor the retention of the Clark airport name as Diosdado Macapagal International Airport or DMIA," said Pamintuan, who downplayed reasons given by proponents of the name change.

Through the sponsorship of Councilor Edu Pamintuan, the City Council passed on Tuesday two resolutions supporting the retention of the current name of the DMIA One resolution expresses disapproval to renaming the airport back to "Clark" while the other enjoins Congress to enact a law officially naming it as the "DMIA."

Pamintuan said that renaming the DMIA would be a disservice not only to the Kapampangans (people of Pampanga) but more so to the historical heritage of the country.

"Dropping DMIA in favor of 'Clark' is not justified by the claim that aviation players know the airport more to be 'Clark' than 'DMIA' and that the airport is tagged by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as 'CRK,' while the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) retains its name when it is still referred to as 'Manila airport' or 'MNL' by IATA," Pamintuan said.

He said that international airports all over the world often have long and unfamiliar names and, altogether, a different IATA code as a "very acceptable practice."

Pamintuan cited the airports in Rome, Italy which was named after their national treasure - Leonardo da Vinci while in New York, USA, the airport was named after former President John F. Kennedy.

Here in Asia, he said Hong Kong which is known as Chek Lap Kok Airport has "HKG" as its IATA code while Singapore's Changi International Airport code is "SIN."

"The practice has been accepted widely and no foreign pilots seem bothered by it," the councilor said.

Pamintuan added: "Changing the name of DMIA to Clark International Airport shall have no significant bearing on the airport's current operation, capacity and potential as a premier international gateway airport."

Clark International Airport was renamed DMIA in 2001 during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

This was pursuant to Clark Development Corporation's (CDC's) Board Resolution 07-08 approved in July 2001, renaming the Clark airport as DMIA on the occasion of the 91st birth anniversary of the late former president, Diosdado Macapagal, on Sept. 28, 2001.

Although the Clark airport was changed to DMIA in 2003, its international code remains CRK.

Both resolutions stated that: "The basis of the name DMIA is important to the people of Pampanga as it honors one of its respected leaders, Diosdado Pangan Macapagal, who is the ninth President of the Philippines, the 'poor boy from Lubao, Pampanga' who became the first Kapampangan President, and 'Father of Land Reform' of the country."