MIAA: Deadline for submission of Naia rehab bids stays

Interested bidders for the P170.6-billion Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) rehabilitation project should not expect an extension of the deadline to submit their proposals as the government is keen on sticking to the Dec. 27 schedule, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said. Bryan Co, general manager of the Naia operator, told Inquirer on Wednesday that the original schedule stands despite calls from several parties, including the Asian Development Bank (ADB), to push the deadline by a month.

This is based on the directive from the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the MIAA official said. “We just follow the direction given to us,” he added.

As such, interested parties have only about a week before the deadline.

ADB previously recommended the deferment of the bid submission to Jan. 29, 2024, noting that four entities already requested for an extension to give them more time to iron out their pitches.

Should the DOTr stick to the original deadline, ADB said it would only expect submissions from two prospective bidders described as entities who are “significantly more familiar with Naia” than other interested parties.

The Public-Private Partnership Center of the Philippines, in a recent press briefing, said that extending the bid submission deadline will allow more competitors to throw their hat into the ring but this also means a protracted project timeline.

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As of the latest update, eight entities are potentially vying for the airport upgrade project, including the Manila International Airport Consortium, which previously submitted a P267-billion unsolicited bid.

Other familiar names include San Miguel Corp. and the GMR Group—both have interests in airports. INQ