San Miguel Aerocity Inc. (SMAI) pitched the New Manila International Airport (NMIA) before export credit agencies, development banks, commercial lenders, and environmental and social advisers from 38 member countries.
The project was featured in a plenary session, highlighting its alignment with international standards such as the IFC Performance Standards and Equator Principles.
“The NMIA project is a clear example on how the cooperation of financial institutions and consultants can help project developers work towards compliance with International Standards. We carefully considered the project, and decided to support it. The results show that it was worth the effort,” said Marije Hensen of Atradius Dutch State Business.
Scalabe funding
The OECD platform expands NMIA’s visibility beyond existing backers to a wider pool of global lenders evaluating large infrastructure deals.
SMC also highlighted its move from local compliance to lender-aligned ESG frameworks, including biodiversity and social safeguards for a complex coastal site.
Stronger ESG alignment can unlock longer-tenor financing and potentially lower borrowing costs as risk perception improves.
Environmental safeguards
“Separately, [San Miguel Aerocity] said flooding, land stability, and environmental safeguards have been among the key considerations in NMIA’s technical and environmental review from the outset,” SMC said.
"These continue to be addressed through assessment, mitigation planning, and oversight under both Philippine regulations and international lender standards,” it added.
—Edited by Miguel R. Camus
