By Gabriela Baron
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) vowed on Friday, Jan. 13, to fast-track the privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) with the completion of the terms of references of its contract.
“We will work and fast-track the privatization of the NAIA, because MIA remains the primary gateway to the Philippines,” Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista told the Senate Committee on Public Services chaired by Senator Grace Poe on Thursday, Jan. 12.
Bautista stressed it’s “high time” to modernize and expand the NAIA, noting that it is the only major airport in Metro Manila that has breached its rated capacity.
NAIA can only handle 40 to 44 movements of aircraft per hour, according to Bautista, but once its privatization pushes through, the airport can increase its aircraft capacity to 50 to 55.
“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.
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,” Bautista continued.
“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,” he added. -ag
