The Aboitiz Group, through its infrastructure business unit, is optimistic about getting the contract for the New Bohol (Panglao) International Airport upgrading project.
Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. is also hopeful that it would be able to take over operations of the new airport by early 2020.
Cosette V. Canilao, Aboitiz InfraCapital chief operating officer, said their unsolicited proposal to expand and upgrade the airport has been endorsed to the National Economic and Development Authority Investment Coordination Committee (NEDA-ICC).
Once approved by the Cabinet-level ICC, the project will be subjected to a Swiss challenge, a procurement method wherein other companies would be invited to challenge Aboitiz InfraCapital’s proposal.
Aboitiz InfraCapital, however, has been granted Original Proponent Status (OPS) for the project and would have the right to match any bid submitted by any challenger.
"Our proposal is with the Neda ICC and it's undergoing approval. As soon as it's approved, then we will have to go through the 60-day Swiss challenge. So, most likely, our takeover will be early next year,” Canilao said Tuesday, September 17, 2019.
Specifically, she said they are hoping the facility would be turned over to them within the first quarter of 2020, if there are no challengers during the Swiss challenge.
But if there are challengers, Canilao said turnover of the facility to the successful bidder might take a few more months.
Aboitiz InfraCapital had submitted an unsolicited proposal for the operations & maintenance (O&M), upgrading and expansion of the new airport in Panglao as well as of the Laguindingan airport in Mindanao.
The company was granted OPS for these proposed projects.
The Panglao airport, which was inaugurated on November 27, 2018, has a capacity of 2.0 million passengers annually, more than double the 800,000 capacity of the old Tagbilaran Airport.
Aboitiz InfraCapital has tapped Dublin Airport operator daa International for the implementation of the Panglao and Laguindingan airport upgrading projects.
Related story: Aboitiz taps Dublin Airport operator for airport bids
daa International will “review and optimize the airports’ O&M plans, define and document processes, train personnel, support the airports’ long-term development, and assist in the implementation of the innovative concepts of ‘connected’ and ‘green’ airports.”
Aboitiz InfraCapital undertakes all infrastructure projects of parent firm Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc.
The company’s other projects are bulk water solutions for Lima, Batangas and Metro Davao as well as construction of telecommunication towers under the government’s common tower program. (Ventures Cebu)