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TRADE
Secretary Peter Favila said on Thursday a local company
has won the bidding for the repair of the mothballed
Ninoy Aquino Terminal 3 (Naia 3), and the schedule is
such that the government expects to finally open the
$640-million facility within the year.
The
local company, which Favila did not identify, will
replace Japanese firm Takenaka Corp. after the
government had to drop the contract with it following
disagreements over the scope of work involved and
compensation.
At the
sidelines of the forum of the European Chamber of
Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) Thursday at the
Rennaissance Hotel, he said Transportation Secretary
Leandro Mendoza has “already proceeded with the
finishing of road networks” servicing Naia 3. “These
include the flyover in Villamor airbase. . .clear
indication that the mandate of President Arroyo to
operate the Naia Terminal 3 is happening.”
The
immediate opening of the Naia 3 and fair compensation of
German investor Fraport AG, which, with Philippine
International Air Terminals Co., had the contract for
the new terminal, was highlighted on the list on
recommendations by the ECCP and the Delegation of the
European Commission in the Philippines that was
submitted to the Department of Trade and Industry.
Hubert
d’Aboville, president of the ECCP, said the Philippines
can increase its current $3-billion annual foreign
direct investments to $9 billion annually, provided the
government “had the political will to create changes
administratively, remove barriers legislatively, and
open the door widely by amending the Constitution.”
D’Aboville was doubtful the Naia 3 would be opened this
year. He said even if the government signs a repair
agreement today, “it is unlikely to be ready within the
next 12 to 18 months.”
“This
single issue stands as the largest obstacle to
attracting foreign investment capital to the
Philippines,
particularly in respect of much-needed infrastructure
projects,” said d’Aboville in his speech at the ECCP
meeting. |
