Daily Tribune (Philippines)

All transport projects ordered completed

- BY MARIA ROMERO @tribunephl_mbr

The Department of Transporta­tion, or DoTr, has set a marching order to complete on schedule all transporta­tion projects to keep the country’s commuting system more convenient and at par with internatio­nal peers.

Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista on Monday said all personnel are required to double down on completing projects in the aviation, railway, road and maritime sectors.

“This is the mission that DoTr has ahead of it. This is our ticket to a brighter future. This is an opportunit­y we should not miss on our way to a Bagong Pilipinas,” Bautista said.

“Let us buckle down to work with a fresh outlook and renewed inspiratio­n starting on our 125th year. It is time to complete the transforma­tion. All eyes on the work ahead,” he added.

Bautista said the DoTr will innovate and pioneer projects that will change the entire transport system.

The transport chief stressed that transport projects must respond to the needs of the present, and anticipate circumstan­ces in the future.

“The same sensitivit­y to emerging trends, and best practices should define our pivot to commuter- and commuter-friendly transit systems,” Bautista said.

“As we undertake our transport infrastruc­ture projects with renewed enthusiasm and confidence, knowing the President has our backs, we are urged to be innovative and pioneering,” he added.

At present, one of the largest undertakin­gs of the DoTr is the privatizat­ion of the Ninoy Aquino Internatio­nal Airport, or NAIA under a P170-billion deal.

This week, the DoTr will announce the winner of the solicited bid for the rehabilita­tion of the airport.

Of the original four bidders, three groups namely SMC-SAP & Company Consortium, Manila Internatio­nal Airport Consortium, MIAC, and GMR Airports Consortium, made it to the final round of evaluation.

Of them, the SMC-SAC Consortium submitted the highest bid amount, offering to share 82.16 percent of future gross revenues, excluding Passenger Service Charges, with the government.

This is in addition to the fixed upfront fee of P 30 billion and annual fee of P 2 billion, both payable to the government.

GMR Airports Consortium and MIAC promised to share 33.30 percent and 25.91 percent of future revenues to the government, respective­ly.

The PBAC will review the financial proposals for compliance with the requiremen­ts of the Instructio­ns to Bidders, which specify certain requiremen­ts for the financial model and financing plan submitted by the bidders.

 ?? PHOTOGRAPH BY YUMMIE DINGDING FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE @tribunephl_yumi ?? TAKING advantage of the fair weather, a man tries to catch fish along Manila Bay on Sunday, 11 February to have something for the dinner table.
PHOTOGRAPH BY YUMMIE DINGDING FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE @tribunephl_yumi TAKING advantage of the fair weather, a man tries to catch fish along Manila Bay on Sunday, 11 February to have something for the dinner table.

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