Four groups bid for $10 billion Manila airport project

The Philippines has attracted four groups to bid for the $10 billion expansion and operation of the Manila international airport, one of the biggest infrastructure projects under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.‘s administration.

The Department of Transportation said on Tuesday that it received proposals from the following consortiums:

• Metro Pacific Investments Corp., Megawide Construction Corp., and GMR Infrastructure Ltd., which currently operates the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
• San Miguel Corp., which is building a new airport in Bulacan province, north of Manila.
• Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc., and Changi Airports International Pte Ltd., which manages the Singapore Changi Airport.
• Prime Asset Ventures Inc., a company owned by businessman Reghis Romero II, and China Communications Construction Co. Ltd., a state-owned enterprise involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

The project involves the rehabilitation, operation, and maintenance of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the main gateway to the Philippines, for a period of 25 years. The project also includes the construction of a new passenger terminal, the improvement of existing terminals, and the development of other facilities.

The project aims to increase the airport’s capacity and efficiency, as well as to enhance the passenger experience and service quality. The project is expected to generate about 30,000 jobs during the construction phase and 40,000 jobs during the operation phase.

The Department of Transportation said it will evaluate the technical and financial proposals of the bidders, and announce the winning bidder by March 2024. The project is expected to start by June 2024 and be completed by December 2026.

The NAIA project is part of the government’s “Build, Build, Build” program, which seeks to boost the country’s economic growth and competitiveness through massive infrastructure spending. The program includes the construction of roads, bridges, railways, airports, seaports, and other public works.