A P1.16-BILLION rehabilitation and upgrade plan for Metro Manila’s main airport terminal — recently reported as one of the worst in the world — has been approved by President Benigno S. C. Aquino III, a Cabinet official yesterday said.
“The President has green-lighted … the rehabilitation plan for NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) Terminal 1,” Transportation Secretary Manuel “Mar” A. Roxas II told Palace reporters.
The terminal’s original designer, L. V. Locsin and Associates, has been tapped for the project, which Mr. Roxas said could be completed by mid-2013.
He said the government was “provisionally allocating” P1.16 billion for:
• a structural upgrade including the retrofitting of columns and reinforcing of slabs and beams (estimated to cost P340 million);
• a rapid exit taxiway to relieve runway congestion and minimize delays and waiting time for flights (P300 million);
• repair and renovation of 72 toilet facilities (P20 million); and
• aesthetics and interior design, inclusive of linoleum replacement, replacement of old immigration counters and adding 10 more to the current 20, and relocation of banks, concessionaires and duty-free shops (up to P500 million).
“All this work from start to finish will be no more than 18 months,” Mr. Roxas said, adding that construction will start in January so as to avoid the holiday rush.
The decision to tap L.V. Locsin and Associates, said Mr. Roxas, was based on the fact that it is “in possession of the ‘as designed’ and ‘as built’ plans and blueprints.”
Officials of Singapore’s Changi Airport — often voted as the number one airport in the world — have also “verbally agreed” to provide technical assistance, he said. A report is expected by early January.
The government will also consider an offer of assistance from the design team of Antonio “Budji” Layug, Royal Christopher L. Pineda, and Kenneth Cobonpue, he said.
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By: JPDP
Source: Business World, Nov. 16, 2011
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