DOTC explores ways to speed up Naia 1 work

The Department of Transportation and Communications is studying a plan to directly negotiate with contractors to address the “urgent” need to rehabilitate Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) terminal 1, instead of going through the traditional bidding process, an official said.

DOTC undersecretary Jaime Feliciano said this route was being considered due to immediate structural issues at Naia Terminal 1 that need to be addressed.

“The plan is to bid it out—the rule is to always bid out projects. But there are certain emergency situations that can be invoked to justify a shorter procurement process,” Feliciano told reporters in an interview early this week.

“So one option being considered is to negotiate with the contractors directly, because of that urgency,” he added, while clarifying that no decision has been made.

Feliciano noted that the rehabilitation of Naia Terminal 1 had two components, one involving the terminal itself and the other the uncovered parking and waiting area. The rehabilitation is also intended to give the aging terminal a face-lift, with a team of designers led by Kenneth Cobonpue, Budji Layug and architect Royal Pineda participating in the project.

Even with current delays, Feliciano said the entire project should be completed before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders’ meeting in 2015.

“On the construction work, our engineers are confident that it can be completed in less than a year. So there is still time,” Feliciano said.

DOTC is undertaking these projects to improve capacity and, as a result, reduce congestion at the country’s busiest airport.

The plan is moving parallel to a separate goal to rehabilitate the nearby Naia Terminal 3, which continues to operate at half its intended capacity.

Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya last week said the airport’s original contractor, Takenaka Corp. of Japan, had already signified its interest to proceed with the P1.9-billion construction work agreement. However, a concrete deal was so far being held up by the Office of the Solicitor General, which needs to give any agreement a so-called final legal pass.