DOTC gives contractor one year to complete P1.3-B NAIA rehab

The private contractor tasked to rehabilitate the 32-year-old Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) – tagged as one of worst airports in the world – has until January next year to complete its job, according to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC). DOTC Undersecretary Julianito Bucayan directed DM Con-- Inc. to start the P1.3-billion NAIA Terminal 1 rehabilitation project and finish it within 360 days, “counting of which will commence within 15 calendar days” from the issuance of the Notice to Proceed.

The Notice to Proceed is dated Jan. 3. DMCI executive vice president Edilberto Palisoc received the notice last Jan. 6.

The rehabilitation project covers structural retrofitting, improvement of mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection (MEPF) facilities as well as architectural work.

The country’s premier airport was constructed in 1981.

Wall St. Cheat Sheet, a United States financial media company, has ranked NAIA eighth among the 10 worst airports in the world, citing overcapacity issues in terminals 1 and 3.

According to the report posted online, the 10 worst airports are known for their “smelly bathrooms, long lines and rude staff.”

It described NAIA’s termi-have nals 1 and 3 as “particularly crammed.”

The other worst airports were Sao Paulo- Guarulhos International Airport in Brazil (1st), the Chicago Midway International Airport (2nd), the John F. Kennedy International Airport (3rd), N’Djamena International in Africa (4th), Paris Beauvais Tille (5th), London Heathrow (6th), LaGuardia in New York City (7th), Jomo Kenyatta International in Kenya (9th), and Tribhuvan International in Nepal (10th).

Last Dec. 23, Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya announced that the government had tapped DMCI to undertake the much – needed rehabilitation of NAIA Terminal 1.