The Department of Transportation said Monday the Naia Consortium submitted a new proposal for the rehabilitation and development of Ninoy Aquino International Airport ahead of the agency’s April 30 deadline.
“They submitted last Friday, we are now comparing the template with Clark with their final proposal and if it is in parallel, then it’s a go,” DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade told reporters.
The DOTr earlier awarded the 25-year contract to North Luzon Airport Consortium to develop the commercial assets, operate and maintain project facilities and fit out the new terminal in Clark.
Tugade earlier said the government might pursue the Naia rehab project or accommodate other proposals from the private sector if no new proposal was submitted on or before April 30, 2019.
Tugade did not disclose the unresolved issues on the consortium’s proposal. Transportation Undersecretary for planning Reuben Reinoso earlier said there were provisions in their proposal that appeared to require a government guarantee.
The consortium secured an original proponent status for the rehabilitation and upgrade of Naia in September 2018.
The declaration of the original proponent is considered the first step in the rehabilitation and expansion of Naia, which is operating beyond its rated capacity.
The consortium’s proposal is still subject to review and approval by the National Economic and Development Authority’s board and to a Swiss Challenge in accordance with the requirements of Republic Act No. 7718, or the Build-Operate-Transfer Law.
The consortium’s members are Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Alliance Global Group Inc., AEDC, Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp.
The unsolicited proposal, which was submitted to the DOTr and Manila International Airport Authority on Feb. 12, 2018, aims to transform Naia into a regional airport hub and expand its capacity to meet the anticipated growth in passenger traffic.
The Naia project supports the government’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ program with its plan to develop the airport into a world-class facility and a regional air transport hub by upgrading its airside, landside and air navigation support, building on the gains already achieved by the DOTr in terms of improving the traffic of aircraft movements on its runways.