DOTr sets April 30 deadline for Naia rehab consortium to get going

MANILA, Philippines  – The consortium seeking to rehabilitate the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) have only until April 30 to finalize the concession agreement, otherwise, discussions with the government will be terminated, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade said on Tuesday.

Tugade said he would stop talking to the consortium and may tap the government instead.

Tumatagal na ‘yung usapan kaya nga sinabi ko na gusto ko na lagyan ng cap,” Tugade said in press conference.

“Sabi ko by April 30, pag hindi pa tayo nagkasundo-sundo, gagawin na namin ‘yung mga proyekto at DOTR (Department of Transportation) ang ia-assign, at itutuloy na namin yan,” he added.

In September last year, the DOTR and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) granted the consortium Original Proponent Status (OPS) for the P105-billion proposal to rehabilitate, upgrade, expand, operate, and maintain the airport for 15 years.

The consortium is composed of seven of the largest conglomerates in the country – Ayala Corp., Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Alliance Global Group Inc., Asia Emerging Dragon, Filinvest Development Corp, JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp.

Tugade said that one issue that is still being discussed is the installation of a people mover.

Transportation Undersecretary for Aviation Manuel Tamayo, however, said the consortium wasn’t able to provide concrete details on that proposal.

“Gusto nila maglagay ng people mover pero wala naman details,” Tamayo told reporters.

Tugade did not specify if the DOTr would open another bidding for the rehabilitation project.

“We will cross the bridge when we get there,” he said.

He, however, said the department has the option and the prerogative to allow the government to undertake the project.

“Pwede ko ring gawin sa gobyerno yan. The option is still available for the government to do it,” he said.  / gsg