Whoever gets to snag the rehabilitation program of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) should also commit to spend P130 billion over a five-year span for infrastructures, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Wednesday.
“Aside from the P30 billion upfront payment, there is a commitment to spend P130 billion in mandatory infrastructures that should be implemented within the next five years,” Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista told reporters.
According to him, a number of foreign companies have expressed interest to participate in the bidding for the NAIA project and expects to publish the invitation to bid by the first week of August. Bidders are given two months to submit their proposals.
By his calculation, the government will open the bids by and award the project by the end of December.
“The financial closing will take about three to six months, so hopefully by the middle of 2024 the winning bidder can start the concession agreement,” Bautista said.
The DOTr and the Manila International Airport Authority serve as co-grantors of the project, which will last 15 years but with an option for a 10-year extension.
The NAIA rehab and privatization seeks to address longstanding issues at the airport such as its inadequately designed passenger terminal buildings and restricted aircraft movement.
The program also aims to boost its annual capacity from 35 million to at least 62 million passengers and raise air traffic movement from 40 to 48 aircraft per hour.
It should also improve the overall passenger experience and service quality to prevent long queues, lengthy waiting times and other passenger inconveniences.
