Alvarez welcomes timely completion of NAIA-3

Transportation and Communications Secretary Pantaleon Alvarez welcomed on Friday the announcement of the NAIA 3 terminal concessionaire and operator that there would be no delay in the completion of the project.

The Philippine International Air Terminal Co. Inc. (PIATCO), a consortium of six firms that won the contract to build NAIA 3, assured that the soft opening of the project would push through on Nov. 25.

"This is indeed welcome news not only to the government, but also to the commuters who are eagerly awaiting the opening of the new facility," said Alvarez. "I applaud the commitment of the consortium to finish the job on time."

A consortium member, the German firm Fraport, announced last week that it was not releasing more funds for the project.

PIATCO vice president for public affairs Moises Tolentino Jr. confirmed the report but said other consortium members are putting up the need funding to complete the project on time.

The NAIA 3 project is now 80-percent complete. NAIA general manager Edgardo Manda said there are no indications the project will be delayed.

PIATCO is awaiting the release of a $440-million loan from a consortium of banks led by the Asian Development Bank. In the meantime Tolentino said the company would advance the required funding.

Earlier, Alvarez commended PIATCO for agreeing to drop a provision in the NAIA 3 contract limiting the passenger volume of Luzon airports, including the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Pampanga, at 850,000 a year.

The controversial provision was seen by Pampanga residents as a hindrance to the development of the former Clark airport into a full-fledged international gateway.

In response to the clamor of Pampanga residents, President Arroyo sought a renegotiation of the provision, to which PIATCO agreed.

"The cooperation and commitment of the consortium to finishing the project on time is indeed laudable. Despite numerous problems along the way, I am confident the project will be completed as scheduled," Alvarez said.

He said the NAIA 3 terminal is a vital infrastructure that would perk up the country’s tourism and result in heightened economic activity.