Naia Consortium proposal gets DOTr nod

A proposal by seven local conglomerates to upgrade and operate Manila’s Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the country’s busiest air gateway, is set to move forward.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said in a press briefing yesterday that the department had issued a recommendation to the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) to award Naia Consortium the coveted original proponent status.

An original proponent status gives its holder a huge advantage in a Swiss Challenge process, which is mandated for unsolicited proposals. A Swiss challenge allows rival groups to submit better offers but the original proponent has the right to match the offers and thus win the project.

This development came after months of negotiations.

Naia Consortium—composed of Ayala Corp., Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Alliance Global Group Inc., Asia Emerging Dragon, Filinvest Development Corp, JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp.—submitted its proposal in February this year.

MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal, who was present in yesterday’s briefing, confirmed that they had received the recommendation of the DOTr to adopt Naia Consortium’s proposal. He said it would be taken up in a board meeting on Thursday.

Subsequent approvals from the National Economic and Development Authority are needed before a Swiss challenge can proceed, Monreal said.

Negotiations in recent months focused mainly on the concession period and the revenue sharing arrangement between the government and private partners.