Aboitiz, Chelsea submit new airport proposals

MANILA, Philippines — Dennis Uy’s Chelsea Logistics Corp. and the Aboitiz Group are keen on pushing through with their respective plans for key provincial airports in the Visayas and Mindanao as they presented to the government the latest versions of their unsolicited proposals.

Transportation Undersecretary for planning Ruben Reinoso Jr. told The STAR that Chelsea and the Aboitiz Group have revised and resubmitted their proposals after being told to do so a few weeks ago by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

“They submitted improved proposals which are now under evaluation,” Reinoso said.

“We hope to complete the review by next week,” he said.

Reinoso earlier said the DOTr is negotiating for better proposals before it recommends the grant of original proponent status (OPS) to both firms, which was the reason why Chelsea and Aboitiz were asked to revise their proposals and resubmit.

Prior to their latest offers, both Aboitiz and Chelsea had each submitted bundled unsolicited proposals for a number of the country’s regional airports, but was rejected by the DOTr due to a change in policy direction.

The agency has, instead, asked the groups to unbundle their proposals given that many of the airports can stand on their own, resulting to Aboitiz choosing the New Bohol International Airport in Panglao and Chelsea picking the Davao International Airport.

Meanwhile, Mega7 Construction Corp.’s unsolicited proposal to upgrade, maintain, and operate the Kalibo International Airport also remains under evaluation by the DOTr.

Mega7 has taken in a partner “with experience” and submitted better concession payments in an effort to secure the government’s nod for its unsolicited proposal.

The company’s earlier proposal was rejected by the government as the proponent lacks experience in airport development, operations, and maintenance.

The grant of OPS to a project proponent would give it the right to match offers from other parties when a Swiss challenge is conducted for the project.