P17.5B MCIA expansion bidding set today

CEBU, Philippines - Today, the much-awaited upgrading of the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) is a step closer to implementation as the groups that passed the pre-qualification bidding will submit their respective proposals to the prequalification, bidding and awards committee (PBAC).

MCIA general manager Nigel Paul Villarete confirmed that the bidding will be done in Manila today with the seven groups expected to submit their bids to the PBAC.

The seven bidders are AAA Airport Partners of the Ayala and Aboitiz  groups; Gotianun-led Filinvest Development Corp. and its partner, Changi Airports International Pte. Ltd. (CAI); MPIC-JG Summit consortium; San Miguel-Incheon Airport consortium; First Philippine Airports led by First Philippine Holdings, Inc.; Premier Airport Group led by SM Investments Corp.; and the GMR Infrastructure and Megawide consortium.

Villarete earlier said that they hope to kick-off with the rehabilitation plans as soon as possible but said that, as expected, this would not be that easy since it also has to go through the proper process. The rehabilitation will also depend on the plans of the bidders since the development plans are in accordance with the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) of the national government.

The P17.5 billion project includes the construction of a new passenger terminal and the improvement of the existing terminal.

After the bidding, Villarete explained that an evaluation process will follow, which would take around two months. The winning bidder will then be notified and would have to comply with the requirements.

Villarete said MCIA officials are hoping to turnover the project by September or October next year.

“We are optimistic the prospective bidders will submit more than reasonable and attractive bids.  The recent events in the last few months have shown that MCIA is an exceedingly viable PPP venture,” said Villarete.

He pointed out that the MCIA was able to withstand the October 15 earthquake with the barest peripheral damage.  â€œLast Nov. 8, it immediately resumed full normal operations on the very same day typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines.” 

On Nov. 12, Villarete noted that the world’s largest aircraft, the Antonov An-225, landed at the MCIA.

“A first for any airport in the entire country, assuring everybody that it can cater to any other aircraft in the world.  And in the wake of  Yolanda, MCIA rose to the task of being the transport logistic hub of international aid and relief operations, playing host to dozens of  huge cargo planes from other countries carrying hundreds of tons of cargo. MCIA is a viable airport, and we are sure the bidders see that and will reflect the fact in their bids,” he stressed.

  Recently, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board approved the project’s concession agreement, which includes an extension from the initial 20 years to 25 years. -/QSB (FREEMAN)