CLARK FREEPORT — Transportation Sec. Arthur Tugade said here his agency has granted an “original proposal status” to the so-called “super consortium” of seven conglomerates seeking to develop the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Still, he said that unlike Clark, there is no more area for building a new runway at the NAIA.
In a recent press conference here, Tugade said the granting of the status, done by his agency’s planning department, was a required step needed towards the possible approval of the project.
With the status approved, the proposal was transmitted to the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) whose board members are to meet this Thursday to tackle the proposal, MIAA general manager Eddie Monreal said at the conference.
“Once the board approves it, the proposal would be sent back to the DOTr for transmittal to the Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee under the Office of the President,” he said.
Tugade said the DOTr initially did not favor the proposal as the conglomerate wanted a 35-year contract, but entertained it when the time period was shortened to only 15 years.
The proposal covered the upgrade of passenger terminals without mention of any new runway. Seven groups including Ayala Corp., Gotianun-led Filinvest Development Corp., Gokongwei-led JG Summit Holdings Inc., Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., Manuel Pangilinan- led Metro Pacifi c Investments Corp., Megaworld Corp., and the LT Group were initially reported to have forged plans for the rehabilitation and expansion of the NAIA.
The plan reportedly aims to upgrade and enhance the operational capabilities of terminals of NAIA, covering both landside and airside, so as to meet the International Civil Aviation Organization standards.
Not included in the seven were the SM Group and San Miguel Corp., which have both submitted separate proposals to build new airports in Cavite and in Bulacan, respectively.
