Consortium submits P350-B proposal to rehabilitate NAIA

A consortium of the seven biggest companies in the Philippines submitted on Monday a proposal to rehabilitate the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) with a price tag of P350 billion.

The NAIA Consortium said on Tuesday the unsolicited proposal was submitted to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).

“Through this proposal, we envision a new NAIA: a fully integrated premier gateway that we Filipinos can truly be proud of, backed by the know-how of an experienced technical partner and the strong synergy of seven homegrown teams,” consortium speaker and Aboitiz InfraCapital vice president Jose Emmanuel Reverente said in a press conference in Makati City.

“The message is clear: we need this, and we can get this done,” he said.

The vision is to develop the NAIA into a world-class facility and a regional air transport hub by upgrading its airside, landslide, and air navigation support, the consortium noted.

Part of that vision is to boost tourism and, in turn, increase the country’s economic potential.

“We’ve worked very hard that we provided a compelling proposal to the DOTr,” Reverente said.

The consortium counts as members Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., Alliance Global Group Inc., Ayala Corporation, Filinvest Development Corporation, JG Summit Holdings Inc., LT Group Inc., and Metro Pacific Investments Corp.

Earlier this month, the consortium said it has tapped Changi Airport International, the operator of Singapore’s Changi Airport, as technical partner for the project.

The consortium plans to undertake the NAIA rehabilitation project under a 35-year concession period, after which the airport will be handed back to the government at no cost.

The plans is pursue the project in two phases. Phase one entails improvements and expansion of terminals with the current NAIA land area to increase the airport’s annual capacity to 65 million passengers in 48 months.

“We expect that the project cost for phase one will be about P100 million,” Reverente said, noting that the equity contributions will be shared equally by all members.

Phase two involves the development of an additional runway, taxiways, passenger terminals, and associated support infrastructure.

“The proposal involves expanding and interconnecting the existing terminals of NAIA, upgrading airside facilities, and developing commercial facilities to increase airline and airport efficiencies, enhance passenger comfort and experience, and improve public perception of NAIA as the country’s premier international gateway,” Reverente noted.

He said, however, that the details of the second phase have yet to be finalized. “Still under discussion. It will be under discussion with the DOTr,” he said.

If the consortium bags the original proponent status for the project, other interested companies will be given the right to match the offer under a Swiss Challenge.

The consortium said it plans to link the airport to the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 and Light Rail Transit Line 1. —VDS, GMA News