THE private concessionaire of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is expected to retain 78 percent of Manila International Airport Authority’s (MIAA) employees upon its takeover on September 14.
As part of the preparation for the turnover of NAIA to New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC), Roberto Lim, Department of Transportation (DOTr) undersecretary for aviation and airport, said DOTr and MIAA are conducting monthly joint steering committee talks with the private concessionaire to ensure a smooth transition process next month.
The issues discussed with the private concessionaire include early works at the NAIA, including the OFW lounge, layout of terminals and other facilities, Lim added.
The DOTr has presented to NNIC the employee structure of MIAA as the airport regulator, saying the agency is waiting for the approval of the Governance Commission for Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations for plantilla positions.
Lim said at least 77.5 percent of MIAA employees have agreed on the employment offered by NNIC. Airport police and other essential MIAA employees will also be retained as organic personnel.
“The concession agreement mandates that the concessionaire offers employment to MIAA employees, except for the airport police, which will be retained as an organic team and some essential MIAA employees to continue its function as regulator,” he said.
NAIA’s turnover to NNIC is scheduled on September 14.
NNIC is composed of conglomerates San Miguel Holdings Corp., RMM Asian Logistics Inc., RLW Aviation Development Inc. and Incheon International Airport Corp.
NNIC has committed to spend a P122.3- billion capital outlay over the 25-year concession, with plans to expand and rehabilitate the passenger terminals and improve the air traffic movement from 40 movements to 48 per hour.
In a related development, DOTr and the City Government of Marikina yesterday broke ground for an additional eight kilometers of bike lanes and inaugurated two new end-of-trip facilities to further promote the city’s active and sustainable transportation.
Located at Marikina City’s GAD Building and Engineering Office Compound, the end-of-trip facility includes 35 bike racks, shower and rest rooms as well as lockers.
The expanded bike lanes and end-of-trip facility are expected to benefit 456,000 residents.
In addition, DOTr is seeking for a P2.59 billion budget for additional bike lanes as well as the upgrade and maintenance of other bike lanes, and end-of-trip facilities.
For 2025, DOTr eyes to establish at least 260 km of dedicated lanes for cyclists, as it intends to develop a total of 2,400 km of bike lanes by 2028.
NAIA’s turnover to NNIC is scheduled on September 14.
