Rehab of Naia 1 seen done by November 2014

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is looking to finish the rehabilitation of the aging Terminal 1 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) by November next year, a senior government official said.

Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya said they hoped to issue by Oct. 15 a formal notice to proceed for the consultancy and management services of the P1.6-billion project. A separate contract for the general contractor is expected to be bid out and awarded by Nov. 15.

The implementation of the project has been long-delayed and Abaya said this was caused by procurement issues and the results of a third-party study on how best to proceed with the project.

“That has been reconciled so we are now ready to execute,” Abaya told reporters last week.

He noted that the winning group for the consultancy and management services would be given a month to review the so-called detailed engineering plan to be prepared by the Manila International Airport Authority. This explained the one-month gap from the bidding of the general contractor, he said.

“The target imposed for completion is November 2014,” he added. “By Dec. 1 (this year) they could start work.”

Terminal 1, built in the 1970s, currently serves as the gateway for foreign commercial carriers and is one of four terminals within the Naia complex, the country’s busiest airport that serves more than 30 million passengers annually.

The DOTC earlier said the rehabilitation aspect would cover the terminal and an uncovered parking lot outside of the building.

Abaya added last week that he did not see any more issues that could hinder the project.

Malacañang in June announced that it would likely adopt a design submitted by Kenneth Cobonpue and Leandro V. Locsin and Associates. National Artist Leandro Locsin designed the original Naia Terminal 1. Also tapped was the Budji+Royal Pineda Design firm, reports showed.