San Miguel Holdings Corp. is set to sign on Wednesday the contract to build the P734-billion Bulacan International Airport, the Transportation Department said Monday.
Transportation Undersecretary for planning and project development Ruben Reinoso Jr. said San Miguel had complied with all the conditions set by the government on the project, including the P10.9-billion performance security.
The DOTr issued a notice of award to SMHC in August to undertake the financing, design, construction, supply, completion, testing, commissioning and operation and maintenance of the new international gateway in Bulakan, Bulacan.
It was awarded to San Miguel after no other party participated in the Swiss Challenge to contest the original proposal by the end of the deadline on July 31.
San Miguel president Ramon Ang described the project as “a game-changer” that would bring more foreign tourists to the Philippines.
The Bulacan International Airport is expected to commence construction by the end of the year and start operations within four to six years.
San Miguel tapped the services of global firms Groupe ADPi, Meinhardt Group and Jacobs Engineering to design and build the New Manila International Airport.
All three companies were involved in building world-class airports including Changi Airport in Singapore, Atlanta Airport in the US and Charles de Gaulle Airport in France.
The initial designs, some of which were released earlier, envision a future-ready airport focusing on overall passenger experience and sustainable technologies consistent with the needs of the environment and the local communities of Bulacan and nearby provinces.
San Miguel said it would also engage a world-class airport operator to help manage the country’s future premier gateway.
The company is building the project on a 2,500-hectare property in Bulakan town about 30 kilometers northeast of Metro Manila at no cost to the government.
