Megawide Construction Corp. and foreign partner GMR Infrastructure Limited on Tuesday said the government revoked its original proponent status (OPS) for the P109 billion proposal to rehabilitate and transform the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
“At a time of deep economic crisis, the Filipino people today received a devastating blow against progress. A critical step towards the Philippines’ national economic recovery was delayed further by vested and corrupt interests who have spent millions in trying to bring down the only capable and qualified player,” Megawide said in a statement.
“Megawide-GMR will immediately file a motion for reconsideration for its proposal. At all stages, Megawide has complied with all requirements and interpretations of the government for its unsolicited proposal. There are no justifiable grounds to deny the Filipino people a transformed NAIA,” it added.
Megawide and GMR Infrastructure first submitted a proposal for the rehabilitation of NAIA in 2018.
Under the updated proposal submitted in November this year, the consortium plans to spend P109 billion under a 25-year concession period. The company will construct the project in three phases such as the improvement of airside and terminals and the connection via bus rapid transit.
They will also build a new terminal, additional taxi lanes and an elevated railway.
“Megawide strongly believes in President Duterte’s vision to deliver better infrastructure for all Filipinos. The Company also believes that now, as our people suffer from the dual impact of the public health and economic crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, is the time for responsible, exemplary Filipino companies to step up, contribute, and fight for our nation’s economic future,” the company said.
“Our company and people, our partners and stakeholders in airports and other vital infrastructure, remain fully committed to our mission. No chains, no backward thinking, no entities with vested interests can truly bring down progress and the spirit of A First World Philippines,” it added.
NAIA Consortium earlier informed the government that they would no longer pursue the P102-billion NAIA rehabilitation project because they were not confident about financing the project.
NAIA Consortium members include Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Alliance Global Group Inc., Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corp., Filinvest Development Corp. and JG Summit Holdings Inc.