More time sought for NAIA deal bid
‘We strongly believe that extending the bid submission date would attract more bids’
(File Photo)
Daily Tribune‘We strongly believe that extending the bid submission date would attract more bids’
(File Photo)
Lawmakers and a senior administration official on Sunday urged the Department of Transportation, or DoTr, to heed the advice of the Asian Development Bank, or ADB, to extend the bidding for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport rehabilitation for one month to ensure due diligence and prevent a monopoly situation.
In separate interviews, Manila Rep. Rolando M. Valeriano, OFW Partylist Congresswoman Marissa Magsino and Presidential Adviser on Poverty Alleviation Larry Gadon gave a position that the ADB should not be ignored but instead followed as it would be for the best interest of the government and the public as well.
"Due diligence is a must," Valeriano, chairman of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development, said.
If the 27 December deadline is followed, the DoTr stands to be accused of "favoring" only two prospective bidders and "rigging" the process, as these two have submitted unsolicited proposals for the project and are likely to be the only bidders to meet the timeline.
"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… 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 explained in its memo.
Magsino, for her part, stressed that the one-month delay in the bidding for the project "will be more beneficial."
"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," the lady lawmaker said.
No shortchanging public
"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 OFWs," she added.
In an internal memo previously leaked to the media, the ADB proposed that the bidding be extended from 27 December 2023 to 29 January 2024 to allow potential bidders more time to prepare and participate.
It said that increased competition will ensure better financial outcome for the government.
The ADB memo noted that at least four more bidders for the project are seeking the extension. If the 27 December deadline pushes through, the bank said only two bidders may submit the required documents.
Gadon, meanwhile, pointed out that the extension proposed by the ADB is called for, especially in the light of the fact that the 27 December deadline will marginalize bidders.
"I agree to the proposed extension as it will give more time to potential proponents in coming up with a more realistic terms of bid that would become more advantageous for the government and, ultimately, to the public," Gadon, who was appointed presidential adviser in the middle of this year, explained.
"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 further stressed.
More time needed
ADB likewise reasoned that the extension aligns with the government's commitment to encourage new players and foreign investment in Philippine public-private partnerships and is aimed at fostering competition without causing undue delays to NAIA's modernization.
Magsino said the DoTr leadership must seriously consider the proposal and heed the clamor from stakeholders and government leaders to have the deadline extended.