THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) is fast tracking the privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) with the completion of the terms of references of its contract, according to Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista.
“We will work and fast-track the privatization of the NAIA, because MIA remains the primary gateway to the Philippines,” Secretary Bautista told the Senate Committee on Public Services chaired by Senator Grace Poe,
Being the only major airport in Metro Manila that has breached its rated capacity, it’s high time to modernize and expand the NAIA, Secretary Bautista said.
Secretary Bautista explained that apart from the Clark International Airport (CRK), the NAIA can only handle 40 to 44 movements of aircraft an hour.
Should its privatization push through, the NAIA can increase its aircraft capacity to 50 or even 55 aircraft movements.
“Admittedly, we have two airports that are across each other. We can only handle 40 to 44 movements per hour, but with the new technology, we should be able to increase this to 50, or even 55,” he said.
Secretary Bautista added that with the amendment to the implementing rules and and regulations (IRR) of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme, any dispute or issue between the government and private sector will go through arbitration.
“We will fast-track the conditions of the terms of reference. Also, we are happy to inform you that there was an amendment to the IRR of the PPP Law, which will address the issue that I have just mentioned. And also, will allow arbitration, in case there’s dispute between the PH government and the private sector,” he said, adding that such provisions are internationally adopted.
