Ceremonial Contract Signing
MCIA New Passenger Terminal Building

Opening Remarks
Executive Director Cosette V. Canilao
April 22, 2014

 
Distinguished Guests, Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Morning!

Today, we are gathered to witness the contract signing of the PPP Program’s 7th project successfully awarded to the private sector. The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the GMR-Megawide Consortium will finally seal the deal for the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) New Passenger Terminal Building project.

As what most of us here know, this much-awaited event did not come easy. Together with the entire local and international business community, the media, and the critical public, all of us here have witnessed how the project has faced several challenges along the way, and how it hurdled over each one to finally come to this very important milestone.

Driven by our strongest commitment to pursue this project and the PPP Program along the path of transparent and credible due diligence, the government stood its ground and upheld the rules that guided the bidding process. Through this, the interest of both the public and the private partners were equally upheld; and the PPP Center is no less than proud of this achievement. This sends a very clear signal to our investors that if you do business in the Philippines, you are certain to get a square deal.

At this point, please allow me to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank all the people who have been instrumental in the successful tender of the MCIA project.

To the DOTC leadership, we salute you for the continued commitment to deliver critical PPP projects in the pipeline despite the many criticisms you have been receiving.

To the DOTC’s Prequalification, Bidding and Awards Committee (PBAC), your steadfast commitment to diligence, transparency, and fairness in the whole PPP process, consistent with the BOT Law and its IRR, is truly noteworthy.

I likewise wish to acknowledge our transaction advisers, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India Pvt. Ltd., made available to the DOTC through the Center’s Project Development and Monitoring Facility (PDMF) and the ADB-Capacity Building Technical Assistance (CDTA).

I also thank all the bidders who participated in this project. The very positive response as evidenced by your well prepared bids has been very encouraging. As we always say, we take this as your solid trust and confidence in the integrity of the PPP Program and the due diligence we painstakingly do at every step of project preparation, review, approvals, and procurement processes.

I also congratulate and thank the GMR-Megawide Consortium for accepting the challenge to partner with the government in doing this project. Your experience and expertise will serve as the foundation in modernizing MCIA and addressing the growing influx of passengers in the country’s second busiest airport.

Finally and most importantly, I congratulate the general public, both supporters and critics alike. This project is for you. This is another great leap in the realization of our shared vision of having high-quality infrastructure projects that promote inclusive growth where no Juan (and Juana) is left behind.

Thank you very much and a pleasant day to all!