Biz Buzz: For added comfort: More toilets inside Naia
In about two months, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) will be turned over to the San Miguel Corp.-led consortium for the much-needed rehabilitation works. But even before the highly anticipated airport upgrade, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) is already implementing its own initiatives.
The airport operator is looking for a contractor to work on a multi-million peso project: construction of additional comfort rooms at Naia terminals 1, 2 and 3.
The MIAA recently published an invitation to bid for the P121.91-million project. The government agency wants a contractor with “experience in general building construction involving civil and architectural works, electrical works and mechanical works.”
To join the race, the participant must pay P50,000 to obtain the bidding documents. A pre-bid conference will be held on July 25 at the MIAA Administration Building.
Interested parties must submit their bids on or before 12 noon of Aug. 8. It will be followed by opening of the bids by 2 pm the same day.
The winning contractor is given 224 calendar days or a little over seven months to complete the project.
–TYRONE JASPER C. PIAD
Mojica is new UnionDigital chief
After over a year, Henry Aguda is handing over the reins of Union Bank of the Philippines’ digital banking arm to a corporate veteran, allowing him to chase his own personal goals.
At the same time, Aguda will no longer be senior executive vice president of the country’s ninth largest bank by Oct. 1.
“We respect Henry’s decision to pursue opportunities that are more aligned to his personal development goals, and we wish him the best,” UnionDigital chair Justo Ortiz said.
Danilo “Bong” Mojica II, a director of the UnionDigital board, will replace Aguda. But Mojica does not simply have banking experience.
No, UnionDigital says he also has “over 35 years of local and international C-level corporate and consulting experience” in the fast-moving consumer goods, airline, telecommunications and financial technology sectors.
“Our appointment of Bong. who is close to UnionDigital’s business and operations as a board director, will ensure continuity and the uninterrupted execution of the bank’s plans for growth and its strategic initiatives,” Ortiz said.
In a statement on Tuesday, UnionDigital Bank said its board of directors had accepted Aguda’s resignation as president and CEO effective Aug. 1.
—MEG J.ADONIS
Transfer of idle GOCC funds OK, says Co
Don’t count House appropriations committee chair Rep. Zaldy Co of the Ako Bicol party list among the voices objecting to the transfer of unused funds of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCC) such as Philippine Health Insurance (PhilHealth) Corp. to national coffers to fund public interest projects.
“This initiative will re-channel billions of dormant funds to help millions of Filipinos enjoy better health care and social services, and bolster economic activity by investing more in social services and infrastructure projects at no extra cost to government,” said Co, whose committee is preparing for government’s submission of the 2025 National Expenditure Program.
The Department of Finance said the redirection of idle funds of GOCCs for public interest projects to alleviate poverty and foster economic growth is allowed under the 2024 General Appropriations Act and Co could not agree more.
“Congress has done its part in its exercise of oversight functions on the national budget, with respect to PhilHealth subsidies,” said Co. “Notwithstanding actions by Congress, huge amounts of stranded funds in PhilHealth exist and it would be a great injustice to Filipinos if these funds remain unused.”
Among the projects that may benefit from the reallocation of GOCC funds are the Metro Manila Subway Project and social programs such as the Teacher Effectiveness and Competencies Enhancement Project.
—Tina Arceo-Dumlao
