DOTr to publish terms of reference for Bulacan airport project

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is looking to launch the bid process for San Miguel Corp.’s (SMC) Bulacan airport proposal in April, an official said Tuesday.

DOTr Undersecretary for Aviation Manuel Tamayo said the DOTr is already preparing the terms of reference or guidelines for the Swiss challenge.

A Swiss challenge is a type of bidding process required for unsolicited project proposals.

“As of January, nasa DOTr yung documents. Inaayos na ang terms of reference for the Swiss challenge (As of January, the documents are with the DOTr. They are preparing the terms of reference for the Swiss challenge),” Tamayo said in a press conference.

“Hopefully, within April ma-publish ang terms of reference ng Swiss challenge,” he added.

Tamayo said if no other bidder would challenge SMC’s P735.6-billion airport proposal after 60 days of the publication of the terms of reference, the project will be awarded to SMC.

The project, dubbed as the New Manila International Airport, is being eyed as a replacement for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).

It was approved by the board of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) on Dec. 21, 2018. /ee