The local government of Cavite obtained the green light from the Department of Transportation to undertake the proposed $9.3-billion Sangley airpot project.
“We just transmitted that we do not object to their proposal provided there are no government guarantees. The provincial government can now proceed. It means there is no objection from the DOTr for them to implement the Sangley International Airport,” Transportation Undersecretary Ruben Reinoso said.
Reinoso said the next step was to determine the legal framework for the project. “It’s a go. So they now have to comply with the requirements for approval,” he said.
Reinoso said the proponent of the Sangley airport project should secure an endorsement from the Philippine Reclamation Authority and approval from the National Economic and Development Authority board for the reclamation component.
Under the proposal, the provincial government of Cavite plans to reclaim about 1,500 hectares of land and to build an airport terminal that can accommodate 75 million passengers a year in Sangley Point.
The DOTr also received an unsolicited proposal to build an international airport in Sangley Point for $12 billion from Sangley Airport Infrastructure Group Inc., a consortium composed of Solar Group’s All-Asia Resources and Reclamation Corp. and the Sy family’s Belle Corp..
The Philippine Sangley International Airport was envisioned to be a regional airport hub that could accommodate about 120 million passengers a year once fully developed.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said: “If there’s two proposals, the priority is government to government initiative.”
San Miguel Corp., meanwhile, secured an approval from the Neda board for its proposed P735.63-billion international airport in Bulacan.
The unsolicited proposal involves the construction of a terminal, parallel runways and airport toll road. It will be able to accommodate 100 million passengers per annum by its opening year of 2023.
San Miguel’s proposal involves developing an “aerotropolis” on 1,168 hectares and a city complex on a 2,500-hectare area in Bulacan.
The Naia Consortium is also set to secure an original proponent status from the DOTr for its proposed rehabilitation and upgrade of Ninoy Aquino International Airport for P106 billion over a 15-year period.
The Naia Consortium proposed to expand and interconnect the existing terminals of Naia, upgrade airside facilities and develop commercial facilities to increase airline and airport efficiencies, enhance passenger comfort and experience and improve public perception of Naia as the country’s premier international gateway.
The consortium’s members are Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Alliance Global Group Inc., AEDC, Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp.