BIZ BUZZ: New law to govern Naia rehab bid?
So far, the Marcos administration is sticking to its Dec. 27 deadline for interested parties to submit their bids for the P170.6-billion rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) complex, the country’s primary gateway.
But even if they don’t want to, they may have to move the deadline given that the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Code of the Philippines is set to take effect on Dec. 23. This will supersede several laws including the Build-Operate-Transfer Law that currently governs the Naia PPP Project.
It may perhaps be wise for the Department of Transportation, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and the Pre-Qualification, Bids and Awards Committee (PBAC) to take into account this development and assure bidding entities that the Naia PPP Project will be governed by the right law.
Prospective bidders are likewise concerned about the review of the proposed concession agreement. The PBAC had said that it was being reviewed by the Department of Finance, Office of the Solicitor General and the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel.
No word yet on what happened to that review, thus bolstering the argument that the deadline can be moved by even just a month, as recommended by the Asian Development Bank.
With the deadline a mere days away, it is anyone’s guess if the government will stick to its guns or give itself—and other bidders—more time to study the massive project. —Tina Arceo-Dumlao
New Unilever PH chief
The Philippine unit of multinational giant Unilever has named Fredy Ong as its incoming chair and CEO, with his term to begin in January 2024.
He will replace the current CEO, Benjie Yap, who has been appointed country head of Unilever Indonesia, concurrent to his role as general manager of its home care business in the company’ biggest business unit in the region.
Ong, who has been with Unilever for over 30 years, was the country director of Unilever Cambodia and Laos before coming home to the Philippines in 2017 to assume the role of vice president for customer development.
He started his career in Unilever Philippines under the company’s planning and logistics group before moving on to various customer development roles which include marketing, operations, modern trade, area management.
The 55-year-old executive also previously assumed the role of customer development director and executive committee member at Unilever-RFM Ice Cream, Inc.
He then carried on to hold the position of modern trade and local modern trade director at the company’s homecare, personal care and food business segments.
Ong will remain head of Unilever Philippines’ customer development segment, holding this position simultaneously with his new roles as chairman and CEO. —Alden M. Monzon
Naia bites
More restaurants, including Wildflour Cafe + Bakery, will be opening up soon in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to provide more options to passengers.
Bryan Co, general manager of MIAA, told Inquirer the popular brunch cafe is set to welcome guests this month at Terminal 1.
By the first quarter, he said Spanish restaurant Barcino— which also serves cocktails— will also set up shop at the same terminal.
Other brands expected to arrive soon are Chinese restaurant Tim Ho Wan and American fast casual restaurant Shake Shack.
“We’re trying to accommodate more brands,” he said, noting that they make sure the restaurants at the airport vary according to price points to cater to different passengers’ budgets.
Co said they were really looking for brands offering a “good food concept” such as coffee and donut shop Dunkin’ to make the passengers’ stay at the airport more worthwhile.
Now, the question is: What brands should the passengers expect to come in next? Let’s see! —Tyrone Jasper C. Piad INQ
