Gov’t, Piatco talks on for NAIA 3

The government is again negotiating with the Philippine International Airport Terminal Co. (Piatco) to allow construction of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA-3) to be completed.

Trade and Industry Secretary Manuel Roxas II said the government would shoulder the estimated $90 million cost of construction, which would be deducted from any amount of settlement to be decided by the court.

"It is to no one’s interest to let the NAIA 3 facilities deteriorate," he said.

NAIA 3 is already showing signs of deterioration, he added.

Roxas, head of the three-man Cabinet committee tasked to resolve the problem, said he made the offer to representatives of Piatco after meeting with them almost three weeks ago.

The Cheng and Fraport groups have agreed to negotiate as one party instead of holding separate talks with the government, he added.

Piatco won the contract to construct and operate NAIA 3, but the contract was later voided by the Supreme Court.

NAIA 3 was mothballed after the government and Piatco failed to agree on the amount of compensation spent in constructing the terminal.

The government wants NAIA 3 to be immediately completed so it could operate the facility.

Piatco is expected to reply to the government’s offer sometime this month. — Marianne Go