We are advising the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the investing public on MacroAsia Corporation’s clarification of a news report:
CLARIFICATION ON NEWS ARTICLE PERTAINING TO LTP HIRING AND LEASE
MacroAsia Corporation (MAC) wishes to clarify certain points raised in the November 13, 2025 online article from Insider PH, titled “Lucio Tan-backed LTP hires nearly 1,000 even as NAIA rent surges, raising pullout doubts”, which referenced data from MAC’s 17-Q disclosure.
1. On the characterization of LTP’s hiring activities The article’s portrayal of Lufthansa Technik Philippines’ (LTP) recruitment as a “hiring spree” linked to ongoing site negotiations at NAIA is inaccurate.
LTP’s personnel increase over the past year reflects a planned, phased rebuilding of technical capacity as global aviation demand recovers. This multi-year program was designed to restore pre-pandemic maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capability in line with customer contracts, regulatory certification requirements, and industry-wide talent shortages.
The staffing figures cited in the article also include both organic (full-time) employees and inorganic (outsourced) workers. As of reporting:
• Organic manpower increased by approximately 200 FTEs to support required workloads; • Outsourced personnel were reduced to about 700, down from 1,000 in 2024.
This demonstrates a calibrated workforce strategy, not an indiscriminate hiring surge. Any implication that staff recruitment contradicts MacroAsia and LTP’s negotiation posture or indicates a committed stay at NAIA is factually inaccurate. The Group remains transparent in its disclosures and continues to pursue commercially reasonable and sustainable lease terms to support the long-term operations of the MacroAsia Special Economic Zone and its locator (LTP).
2. On statements regarding lease rates and contract terms The article stated that MAC/LTP “was previously paying just P65 per square meter, a rate fixed since 2000,” and implied that lease terms changed due to NAIA’s privatization. These statements do not reflect the actual lease arrangements.
The lease for the MacroAsia Special Economic Zone, where LTP is a locator, was executed in 2000 between MacroAsia Properties Development Corporation (MAPDC) and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).
Key terms include:
• A 25-year lease from September 1, 2000, renewable for another 25 years at MAPDC’s option, subject to mutually agreed terms.
• MAPDC has formally exercised its option to renew, and discussions on post-August 31, 2025 terms are ongoing.
• The approved lease rate under the 2000 contract was P53.34/sqm, with fixed 5% escalations on the 6th, 11th, 16th, and 21st years on a compounded basis. Following this agreed formula, the rate effective August 31, 2025 was P64.84/sqm, consistent with comparable airport lease arrangements for raw land developed by the lessee. As an example, publicly reported information on March 2025 pertaining to the Terminal 3 land lease renewal (raw land leased by MIAA from BCDA) indicates a rate of P66.80/sqm (P489 million per year for 61 hectares)
MAC has previously disclosed to the PSE and SEC that while it is in pending negotiation with NNIC/MIAA, it expects potential adjustments to the ecozone lease rate to P710/sqm, subject to the ongoing negotiations.
MacroAsia reaffirms its commitment to transparent investor communication and constructive engagement with regulators and stakeholders. The Company remains focused on ensuring stable, efficient, and sustainable operations for the MacroAsia Special Economic Zone and its locator, LTP, in support of long-term growth. |