The Private-Public Partnership (PPP) Center said it is backing the Department of Transportation's (DOTr) decision to follow the original deadline for the submission of bids for the P170.6-billion rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

It can be recalled that the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which serves as the transaction advisor on the project, suggested moving to January 29 the deadline for bid submission of the NAIA rehabilitation project.

The original deadline for the submission of bids is on Dec. 27.

“It's DOTr who has the Pre-qualification Bids and Awards Committee (PBAC) as far as the PPP center position is concerned,” PPP Center Deputy Executive Director Jeffrey I. Manalo told reporters in a briefing.

“We simply follow the rules, the PBAC has the authority to decide on this matter,” he added.

“At the end of the day, this is a policy decision. So there is no right or wrong here. And so we we will defer to the DoTR PBAC on this. I hope you understand the position of the PPP Center,” he further stated.

Manalo said  the decision was not easy but also noted that an extension would mean a delay on project timeline and will affect public service.

“​​Any extension would mean a delay in the project timeline, which means delayed public service, delayed improvements in NAIA,” he said.

“So and it is not an easy decision, because who wants to say no to a more competitive tender but who also wouldn't say no to you know, an earlier implementation of a particular project,” he added

The ADB emphasized that a deadline extension would give more time for bidders to prepare which will stir more competition.

Further, bidders may experience a longer time in securing internal corporate approvals due to the upcoming holidays, it said.

It pointed out that among the six prospective bidders which have been participating actively in pre-bid activities, four- including large, credible international airport operators with no prior investment in the Philippines have requested an extension.

Should the bid date be retained on December 27, two prospective bidders with participation by large local corporations are expected to submit bids, the ADB said.

“They have both submitted unsolicited proposals for NAIA in the past and are thus significantly more familiar with NAIA than the other four prospective bidders,” it added.