DOTC taps Arup Philippines for NAIA 1 rehab

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has tapped the local unit of the world-renowned Arup & Partners, founded by the late Anglo-Danish engineer Ove Arup, to evaluate the design for the much needed P1.51 billion rehabilitation of the congested Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

In a notice of award, DOTC undersecretary and officer-in-charge Julianito Bucayan Jr. said Arup Philippines has been awarded a P1.51 billion contract for the review of the performance-based design for the retrofitting works at the NAIA Terminal 1.

“We are pleased to inform you that based on the findings of the Bids and Awards Committee, the contract for the procurement of consulting services for the review of the performance-based design for the retrofitting works for the NAIA 1 through negotiated procurement is hereby awarded to Arup Philippines,” Bucayan stated in a notice addressed to Arup Philippines managing director Raul Manlapig.

Arup’s major projects include the Sydney Opera House, Beijing Capital International Airport Terminal3, Jetblue Terminal 5, and the Heathrow Personal Rapid Transit System, among others.

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said the agency has decided to commission a performance-based design instead of a code-based design which would have required a much longer design and construction period.

Abaya stressed the review of the performance-based design is the final step before the start of the actual retrofitting works that is expected to cost at least P1.5 billion.

“A major priority for us is the rehabilitation of our primary airport gateway. It’s no secret that the NAIA has received its fair share of criticism, and we do acknowledge the urgent need to rehabilitate its terminals, especially the decades-old Terminal 1,” the DOTC chief lamented.

The retrofitting and structural rehabilitation would make the country’s gateway compliant to the 2010 National Structural Code of the Philippines (NSCP).

Arup was tapped by the DOTC after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) admitted that it does not have the expertise to approve and certify performance-based design.

The DPWH is tasked to certify if the design and rehabilitation plan is compliant with the Philippine Standard.

The DOTC opted for a performance-based design instead of the code-based design so as not to disrupt the operations at the NAIA1.

Last year, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approved the budget for the retrofitting and rehabilitation of the airport named after the late Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr.

Of the total amount, about P500 million would be used for architectural, engineering, and interior design and works to improve the airports internal facilities, while P340 million would be for urgent structural retrofitting to improve the structural integrity of the NAIA-1 building and comply with the 2010 National Structural Code of the Philippines.

Another P300 million would be utilized to construct two rapid exit taxiway to decongest the runway, while P20 million would be used to rehabilitate all 72 toilets inside the international airport.

NAIA 1 – voted the world’s worst airport – started operating in 1981 with an original design capacity for 4.5 million passengers per year which was reached in 1991 and currently handles 7.3 million passengers a year.