Aboitiz infra unit gets go-ahead for Bohol-Panglao airport

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has cleared Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc.’s unsolicited proposal to upgrade, operate and maintain the Bohol-Panglao International Airport after finding the revised offer aligned with the concession terms of the Clark International Airport.

Transportation Undersecretary for planning Ruben Reinoso told The STAR that the agency has endorsed Aboitiz Infracapital’s revised offer to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)’s Investment Coordination Committee (ICC).

“We have submitted Panglao to the ICC,” Reinoso said.

Meanwhile, Reinoso said a revised proposal from Mega7 Construction Corp., which has been declared original proponent for its offer for the operations, maintenance, and development of the Kalibo International Airport, has been returned.?“It was non compliant with the Clark template. Still awaiting submission of Kalibo (proponent),” he said.

Aboitiz InfraCapital’s proposal for the Bohol-Panglao International Airport follows the path of the consortium of seven conglomerates’ P102-billion proposal to rehabilitate the congested Ninoy Aquino International Airport, which was also given clearance earlier by the DOTr for being compliant with the Clark template.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade previously ordered the return to their respective proponents of all airport unsolicited proposals which have been granted the OPS, except for the Bulacan airport which is a greenfield project, to align them with the Clark international airport’s contract.

The government last week turned over the operations and maintenance of Clark international airport with a 25-year concession to the consortium of Changi Airports Philippines Pte. Ltd., Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Philippine Airport Ground Support Solutions Inc.

Aboitiz InfraCapital, for its part, was able to secure the OPS from the DOTr for the Bohol-Panglao International Airport on Sept. 3, 2018.

The company said its proposed improvements to the Bohol-Panglao International Airport would result in efficient passenger flow within the airport terminal, a better retail and dining experience, and increased flight destinations with reduced congestion.  

The DOTr’s endorsement of the airport project to the NEDA brings it closer to commencing with the Swiss challenge process.

Upon NEDA’s approval, the Swiss challenge process for the Bohol-Panglao International Airport contract would commence, in which Aboitiz Infracapital will have the upper hand by having the right to match better offers for the project.?Aside from offers for the Bohol-Panglao International AIrport and the Kalibo International Airport, OPS have also been granted to unsolicited proposals of Prime Asset Ventures Inc. of the Villar group to operate, maintain, and expand the Puerto Princesa airport and Iloilo International airport, the Aboitiz Group for the Laguindingan Airport, and Dennis Uy’s Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp. for the Davao International Airport.