Government in talks with 2 new proponents for NAIA rehab

MANILA, Philippines — The government is in talks with two new proponents who are interested to rehabilitate the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), according to the Department of Finance (DOF).

Following the snag hit by the P102 billion project proposed by the NAIA Consortium, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez disclosed that two more proponents have expressed interest in the project at better terms.

“I understand that the DOTr (Department of Transportation), under Secretary Arthur Tugade, as well as Vince Dizon, who heads the infrastructure projects, are in conversation with two more potential proponents for the NAIA project,” Dominguez said during a virtual press briefing yesterday.

“And apparently these two other proponents are willing to get into an agreement with the government which are very similar to the terms of the agreement between the project proponents in the Clark Airport and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority,” he said.

“So we’re not worried about it. We believe that these other two proponents are willing to step up to the plate here,” Dominguez said.

Sought for comment, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the two proponents would be identified once they have completed the formalities of notice.

Asked if the government is setting aside the NAIA Consortium in favor of the two new proponents, Dominguez said, “we’re not setting aside the NAIA Consortium. They’re the ones who set it aside, it’s not us.”

Earlier, the NAIA Consortium said it submitted revised plans on the rehabilitation of the country’s main gateway, taking into account the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on the aviation and travel sector.

The group said the revisions were made to ensure the viability of the NAIA project under the “new normal.”

“Unfortunately, the government indicated that it is not willing to accept most of the consortium’s proposed options and the consortium can only move forward with the NAIA Project under the options it has proposed,” the group said. Richmond Mercurio