Ramón Ang de San Miguel: NAIA bets only to operate, not for rehabilitation

Ang Suggests Ways To Generate Up To P2T In Profits From NAIA Property

MANILA – San Miguel Corp (SMC) said Friday that it only intends to operate and maintain the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), not to rehabilitate the country’s main gateway after the news of its offer for the project.

SMC was considered the next big contender for the NAIA project after the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) revoked Megawide’s original proponent (OPS) status to rehabilitate the airport.

“Our interest in NAIA is not intended to replicate what Megawide had in mind for NAIA. Our proposal arises solely from the need for it to function effectively and safely for the Filipino people, until our Bulacan airport project is completed. And until our airport is ready, that task must be done, “said Ramon Ang, president and chief operating officer of SMC, in a statement.

“We also let the government decide what to do with the NAIA in the future,” he added.

This launch was included in SMC’s original proposal for the Bulacan airport, and could therefore enhance NAIA’s operations under a 10-year concession prior to the delivery of the provincial port.

Ang also noted that SMC is “not interested in revenue” in its NAIA offering.

“We want to improve NAIA for passengers. We want it to be run more efficiently, to improve service levels, until the new airport is operational. All proceeds will go to MIAA,” said the head of SMC.

Ang further suggested that the government could generate up to P2 billion in profits by selling or rebuilding the 646 hectare property surrounding the airport. The property is located in an area in two cities: Parañaque and Pasay.

The NAIA complex, which is 2.5 times larger than the Bonifacio Global City shopping center in Taguig, could host commercial or residential developments to generate more revenue than airport fees, he added.

SMC will begin construction of the Bulacan airport in the first quarter of 2021.

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