The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Wednesday it expects to sign a concession agreement with Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. for the P12.75-billion upgrade and operations and maintenance of the Laguindingan International Airport this month.
“The notice of award was already issued to the original proponent of the Laguindingan Airport PPP project, with signing of the concession agreement scheduled this month,” DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said.
Bautista said he expects the government to turn over the O&M of Laguindingan to Aboitiz InfraCapital within the next four to six months.
The DOTr issued the notice of award after no competitors submitted to challenge the offer of Aboitiz InfraCaptial.
The Swiss challenge process involves the submission of comparative proposals to finance, design, construct, operate and maintain the Laguindingan International Airport under a 30-year concession period.
Swiss Challenge is a form of procurement, usually required in an unsolicited project, to provide other parties an opportunity to challenge the bid of the proponent.
The project, one of the infrastructure flagship projects of the national government, aims to enhance connectivity to Northern Mindanao which includes the five provinces of Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon and Camiguin, along with the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.
The project seeks to define an aviation strategy for new airlines and connections including the development of international flights, expand airport capacity according to market demand, introduce sustainable concepts and enhance passenger experience through operational and environmental improvements.
