LAWMAKERS on Sunday urged the Department of Transportation (DoTr) to extend the deadline for the submission of bids for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) rehabilitation project by a month.
Manila 2nd District Rep. Rolando Valeriano and OFW Party-list Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino made the call after the Asian Development Bank pushed for an extension.
“The ADB is an expert on such projects. I hope that their opinion on extending the deadline will be followed. This is better, and the DoTr would be able to choose the most qualified to undertake the project if more companies will be able to submit their bids,” Valeriano, chairman of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development, said.
“Much is at stake; due diligence is a must,” he added.
The original deadline for the submission of bids was December 27, 2023.
Magsino agreed with Valeriano, emphasizing the importance of selecting reputable companies and securing a cost-effective agreement.
“If extending the deadline for proposals on these plans will allow the government to choose from more reputable companies and secure the most cost-effective agreement, then the one-month delay eventually will be more beneficial,” she said.
“The only thing we want to ensure in whatever decision the government will make is that the people will not be shortchanged; the option we will take must vastly improve the services of NAIA, solve capacity issues, upgrade the technology infrastructure, and ensure steady and reliable operation for the benefit of air passengers, especially our overseas Filipino workers,” she added.
Presidential Adviser on Poverty Alleviation, Larry Gadon, also expressed support for the deadline extension.
“I agree to the proposed extension as it will give more time to potential proponents in coming up with more realistic terms of bid that would become more advantageous for the government and, ultimately, to the public,” Gadon said.
“The rehabilitation is highly complex and technical. Issues might come up during construction and renovation works, which may turn out critical [and] which could be prevented by constantly reviewing all aspects of work,” he added.
The ADB had proposed extending the bidding deadline to January 29, 2024, from the original December 27, 2023.
“We strongly believe that extending the bid submission date would attract more bids, thus resulting in greater competition and a better financial outcome for the government,” the ADB stated. “It would also send a strong statement that the government is committed to ensuring a level playing field for all investors, now that recent reforms allow local and foreign investors to compete for NAIA on the same terms, without foreign ownership restrictions.”
The ADB revealed that four prospective bidders had requested an extension of the deadline.
The Department of Transportation (DoTr) is facing calls from lawmakers and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to extend the deadline for the submission of bids for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) rehabilitation project. Manila 2nd District Rep. Rolando Valeriano, chairman of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development, emphasized the expertise of the ADB in such projects and expressed his hope that their opinion on extending the deadline would be followed. He believes that allowing more companies to submit their bids will result in the selection of the most qualified firm to undertake the project. Valeriano stressed the importance of due diligence, as much is at stake in the rehabilitation of NAIA.
OFW Party-list Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino echoed Valeriano’s sentiments, emphasizing the need to ensure that the people are not shortchanged in the decision-making process. She highlighted the importance of improving NAIA’s services, solving capacity issues, upgrading technology infrastructure, and ensuring steady and reliable operation for the benefit of air passengers, particularly overseas Filipino workers.
Presidential Adviser on Poverty Alleviation Larry Gadon supported the extension, stating that it would provide potential proponents with more time to develop realistic bid terms that would be advantageous for the government and the public. Gadon acknowledged the complexity and technical nature of the rehabilitation project, emphasizing the importance of constantly reviewing all aspects of work to prevent critical issues during construction and renovation.
The ADB proposed extending the bidding deadline to January 29, 2024, from the original December 27, 2023. The ADB believes that extending the deadline would attract more bids, leading to greater competition and a better financial outcome for the government. It also sends a strong message that the government is committed to ensuring a level playing field for all investors, with recent reforms allowing both local and foreign investors to compete for NAIA without foreign ownership restrictions. The ADB revealed that four prospective bidders had requested an extension of the deadline.
The call for an extension of the bidding deadline reflects the stakeholders’ commitment to selecting the most qualified and reputable companies for the NAIA rehabilitation project. By allowing more time for the submission of bids, the government aims to ensure a fair and competitive process that will result in significant improvements to NAIA’s services and infrastructure, benefiting both domestic and international air passengers.
Source: The Manila Times
