Seven prospective bidders are keen to compete for the P170.6-billion operation and maintenance of the country’s main gateway, Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Jaime Bautista, DOTr secretary, said in an interview yesterday South Korea’s Incheon International Airport Corp. is the latest firm that bought bid documents for NAIA.
“So far, seven prospective bidders have expressed interest to operate and maintain NAIA,” Bautista said.
Other firms are GMR, San Miguel Corp. (SMC), Manila International Airport Consortium, SPARC 888, Asian Airport Consortium and the IGA of Turkey
A technical briefing conference will be conducted on October 27 for the prospective bidders, said Bautista.
Under NAIA’s public-private partnership (PPP) terms of reference, the winning bidder will be given 15 years to rehabilitate the airport’s passenger terminals and airside facilities, develop commercial assets and utility systems, and provide surface access facilities that enable intermodal transfer at the airport.
The contract will also be extended for another 10 years based on several key performance indicators.
Meanwhile, construction of SMC’s P735-billion New Manila International Airport (NMIA) will start in the second quarter of 2024. This project is expected to help decongest NAIA and complement the operation of Clark International Airport.
“Land development is more than three-fourths complete. We expect structures to rise starting second quarter of 2024,” Bautista said.
He also urged the private sector to support DOTr’s infrastructure projects which are designed to improve mobility and connectivity in the country.
“We need the cooperation of various stakeholders including members of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry who has in the past expressed full support to DOTr projects,” he said.
Bautista cited major projects like the North-South Commuter Railway, Metro Manila Subway, Metro Rail Transit (MRT) line 7, MRT-4, Light Rail Transit (LRT) line 1 Cavite extension, North Long Haul, San Mateo Railway, Mindanao Railway, MRT-11 and LRT-6.
Under a PPP scheme are the NAIA privatization and NMIA in Bulacan, with other airport projects in Bukidnon, Catbalogan, Dumaguete, Tacloban, Kalibo, Caticlan, Laguindingan, Siargao, Zamboanga, Masbate and Cotabato.
Bautista also mentioned the land-based initiatives, such as the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program and EDSA Greenways as well as the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit and Davao Public Transport Modernization Project.
DOTr is upgrading numerous seaports and ensuring that coastal cities and communities are competitive for trade, investment and tourism, while the Philippine Coast Guard acts on marine protection and security within Philippine waters, Bautista added.