CLARK FREEPORT — The bidding for the construction of the proposed international airport in Bulacan ended Wednesday at the central office of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) here with no counter-proposals to the off er of San Miguel Holdings Corp. (SMHC) to build the alternative gateway costing P735.6 billion.
The DOTr said it is now poised to award the project to SMHC following the bidding opening after a 60-day window given to potential challengers.
The agency, in a statement, said it wants construction of the airport, to be located in Bulakan town in Bulacan, to start this year.
In 2016, SMHC proposed to build an international gateway to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
SMHC said the project is to be called the New Manila International Airport and would cover a 2,500-hectare seaside area and would have four parallel runways and a terminal that could serve 100 million passengers yearly.
The project also involves building an 8.4-kilometer tollway that will connect the new gateway to the North Luzon Expressway in Marilao, Bulacan.
The DOTr technical working group assigned to the project asked to finalize within the week the resolution and recommendations for awarding the contract to SMHC.
“They (SMHC) have 20 days to comply with our conditions,” Transportation Assistant Secretary Giovanni Lopez said in a statement, adding that the notice of award can be issued within five days following the TWG recommendations. SMHC must post a performance bond and proof of commitment before the contract is officially awarded.
The notice to proceed with the project will then be issued by the first week of September. By then, the conglomerate will take charge of financing, design, and construction of the airport, as well as operation and maintenance once the structures are established.
“The Secretary wants to start the groundbreaking of the construction by the last quarter of this year,” he said, referring to Transportation chief Arthur Tugade. Lopez said the airport should be operational within four to six years from breaking ground.
In a statement, San Miguel Corp. president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang thanked President Duterte for “bringing this historic project closer to reality,” adding that it was their “single biggest investment” for the country. The project will be built without state subsidies or guarantees.
“We still have a long way to go, but with the continued support of government and everyone, we hope to get started working right away,” Ang said.
Under the law, the company’s unsolicited proposal needs to undergo a Swiss challenge to see if any other companies can present a better off er. If an alternative comes forward, the original proponent can match that off er. If there is no challenger to the project, the original proponent secures the contract.
Apart from the Bulacan gateway, work is also underway to expand the use of the Sangley Airport in Cavite for local flights. President Rodrigo Duterte mandated that the alternative airport south of Manila be operational by November.
