Local government units in Bulacan province expressed dismay over the delayed groundbreaking of the $15-billion New Manila International Airport in Bulakan town which was originally scheduled this month because of the new issues raised by the Department of Finance.
The Bulacan mayors, in a statement, expressed hope that the DOF would not hinder the construction of the new airport which was seen to boost the tourism industry in the province and provide jobs and livelihood to its residents.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the concession agreement was pending with the Department of Justice as the DOF wanted to clear some issues, particularly the “wording and interpretation” of the project’s terms. This came after proponent San Miguel Corp. received a notice to proceed with the project on Sept. 18.
Tugade said he was still hopeful that the groundbreaking ceremony would push through to help decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and to resolve the worsening air traffic.
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd expressed his ‘reservation’ to the project last year and pointed out that the New Clark City is 55 kilometers away from the proposed airport project.
The DOF wanted to clarify the interpretation on the “material adverse government action” and the boundaries of government liability on the project. MAGA covers compensation for the concessionaire if ever the government action has a negative effect on the project.
SMC president and COO Ramon Ang earlier confirmed that the groundbreaking ceremony was delayed and that the construction of the Bulacan airport project was now behind schedule.
The DOTR closed the Swiss Challenge for the project when no company offered to bid for the construction of the P735-billion new airport except. SMC was then awarded the “notice of award” allowing it to invest, design, construct and operate NMIA.
Based on the design of the NMIA which has earlier been released to the media, the modern airport has a capacity thrice that of NAIA. It will have four runways which will enable four airplanes to take off and land at the same time.
The modern airport will have eight taxiways and three passenger terminals which will have a capacity of 100 to 200 million every year.
It will also allow 240 airplanes to park every hour and will be connected to an 8.4-kilometer expressway that will exit to the North Luzon Expressway in Marilao, Bulacan.
