MANILA, Philippines — An infrastructure-oriented think tank has urged Congress to review the ongoing Sangley International Airport project as it questions the Cavite provincial government’s capacity to undertake such massive project, as well as the project’s potential conflict with current national government initiatives.
InfraWatch PH convenor and former House transportation committee member Terry Ridon in a statement said a review of the airport project is needed to address various concerns as any possible conflict with national government initiatives “may mean billions of pesos of taxpayers’ money going down the drain once again.”
Among the concerns raised by Ridon involves the Sangley International Airport’s potential conflict with the Department of Transportation (DOTr)’s direction to use Sangley as the hub for general aviation and low-cost carriers.
“In the last few months, the DOTr has made much about the speed of construction of the rehabilitated Sangley airport. In fact, local carriers had been invited to transfer some of their flights to Sangley. As such, what will happen with these initiatives in the event that the Cavite PPP proposal is concluded and awarded to the sole bidder?” Ridon said.
Ridon also questioned whether or not there is coordination with transport agencies to ensure the success of the Sangley International Airport project.
“It is the DoTr that has jurisdiction and control over the country’s airports. It therefore begs the question: is there already an existing contract between the Cavite provincial government and the DOTr on how the Sangley airport will be developed under the provincial PPP arrangement? Further, as the defense department also has jurisdiction over Sangley airbase, is there an existing contractual arrangement with the DND to ensure coordination over the development in their area?” he said.
The capacity of the Cavite provincial government to undertake the project has likewise caught Infrawatch’s attention.
“While the effort of the Cavite provincial government to spur economic economic growth should be lauded, there are some questions on whether provincial governments can undertake airport development projects as these initiatives are done by the Department of Transportation and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. We have no question that local governments can undertake reclamation activities, but we are uncertain whether they can undertake airport development activities, most especially of this magnitude,” Ridon said.
Ridon also said that the result of the bidding for the Sangley project raises red flags on the viability of the project, as only a single proponent had submitted a proposal.
“It should be noted that many of those that bought bid documents are infrastructure firms across the country’s largest conglomerates. We would like to know why they opted not to participate despite their track record,” he said.