All systems go for SMC’s Bulacan airport

MANILA, Philippines — It’s all systems go for the new international airport rising in the province of Bulacan after its proponent, conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC), was able to comply with all government requirements.

Transportation Assistant Secretary for procurement and project implementation Giovanni Lopez told The STAR that SMC complied last week with all the requirements which the Department of Transportation (DOTr) special bids and awards committee ordered the company to submit within 20 days after receipt of the notice of award for the project.

“We are sending notice of compliance, then we will calendar the formal signing of contract. Thereafter, the notice to proceed the construction,” Lopez said.

DOTr last Aug. 14 issued a notice of award to SMC for the construction of the New Manila International Airport.

Among the documents required by the government for SMC to submit within the 20-day period include a construction performance security in an amount equal to a percentage of the first implementation phase cost and letters from reputable financial institutions expressing their willingness to provide sufficient credit facilities, with terms and conditions for such facilities.

SMC will be building a $15-billion world-class gateway in Bulacan, to be known as the New Manila International Airport, which it hopes to start development as soon as possible.

The conglomerate will undertake the financing, design, construction, supply, completion, testing, commissioning and operation and maintenance of the new international gateway.

It will pour in P450 billion for the initial phase of the massive international airport project which is expected to generate over a million direct and indirect jobs, give rise to small industries in Bulacan and neighboring provinces, and significantly boost tourism.

The DOTr said the Bulacan International Airport is expected to break ground within the year, and is expected to be operational within four to six years upon start of construction.

Once completed, the airport is expected to help in decongesting the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, while also providing the traveling public a world-class gateway.

DOTr concluded the Swiss challenge process for the unsolicited proposal last July 31, in which no other party challenged SMC for the construction of the airport.