All eyes on Naia rehab: Private partner coming
MANILA, Philippines —The winner of the bidding for the P170.6-billion Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) rehabilitation contract will soon be named after the Manila International Airport Authority gives its stamp of approval.
Should the San Miguel-led consortium bag the concession, the conglomerate led by tycoon Ramon Ang will have control over two major airports, including the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan.
Ang-led SMC SAP & Co. Consortium has emerged as the front-runner after putting forward an 82.16-percent revenue share with the government. Competitor GMR Airports Consortium submitted 33.3 percent while another rival, Manila International Airport Consortium, proposed a 25.91-percent share.
READ: SMC leads race for Naia rehabilitation contract
The operator of the country’s main international gateway is scheduled to hold a board meeting today to tackle the notice of award (NOA), according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
The content of the NOA is expected to be made public on Feb. 16, a day later than the previous target. The DOTr has yet to explain the reason behind the delay.
Notice of award
After the issuance of the NOA, the contract signing for the big-ticket infrastructure project is scheduled for next month.
On Feb. 8, the DOTr prequalification bids and awards committee opened the financial proposals submitted by the three proponents to determine the highest bid.
The transportation department previously said the bidder that can provide the government the most revenues would be the likely winner, making the San Miguel group the top contender.
READ: Bigger gov’t revenue promise to decide Naia winner
The terms of reference for the public-private partnership project mandate that the government will get a share of revenues from the commercial and noncommercial operations of Naia. This is on top of the P30-billion upfront cost and annual annuity payment of P2 billion.
The Naia upgrade project includes the rehabilitation of passenger terminals and airside facilities such as runway, aircraft parking area and airfield lighting, and the provision of facilities that will enable intermodal transfers at the terminal.
The winning private sector partner will have a 15-year concession period to implement the project, which can be extended by 10 years, if needed.
