The privatization of the country’s premier gateway, Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), is expected to be finalized this month, regardless of the mode, according Robert Lim, undersecretary of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Lim said the DOTr is also open to extend the concession period from the initial proposal of 15 years, up to 25 years.
The DOTr is choosing between two proposals: the solicited bid of the government for P141 billion and the unsolicited bid of a private consortium for P267 billion.
The DOTr and Manila International Airport Authority’s (MIAA) joint solicited proposal is undergoing review with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), while private consortium Manila International Airport Consortium’s (MIAC) unsolicited proposal is being reviewed by the DOTr.
“Right now, both of them are proceeding on separate tracks. We are evaluating the unsolicited (proposal), and the solicited has been filed with NEDA, it’s being evaluated…within this month we will have more clarity on the path we should pursue because the overriding objective is we want the PPP (public-private partnership) to happen as soon as possible,” Lim said in an interview on the sidelines of Converge ICT Solutions Inc.’s launch of free wifi services at NAIA Terminal 4.
“We have also incorporated in our proposal an option to extend it (the concession) by another 10 years in the event circumstances warrant,” Lim said
“That’s how we are approaching, so 15 with an option to extend it to 10… Let’s say if there are delays in the project and we need to already service the forecasted demand earlier, then the government should have its flexibility to make decisions needed to serve the riding public,” he explained.
The review of MIAC’s unsolicited proposal is ongoing, with a meeting between the parties eyed this week.
“There are still clarifications that have been raised by both sides… like real property taxes and other issues,” he added.
