The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is poised to award the operations and maintenance (O&M) contract for the Bohol-Panglao International Airport project to Aboitiz InfraCaptial Inc. after the Swiss Challenge yielded no competing bids.
“Considering that we have not received a comparative proposal for this project, we hereby recommend that we proceed with the next step, which is submission of the recommendation to the heads of agencies for the issuance of notice of award to the original proponent,” DOTr Undersecretary Timothy Batan said.
The P4.53-billion project includes the expansion, upgrade and long-term maintenance of the Bohol-Panglao International Airport, which Aboitiz InfraCapital offered to manage for 30 years under an operate, add, transfer arrangement.
Batan said the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) would hold a board meeting on Nov. 15, while the bids and awards committee’s recommendation is due by Nov. 18.
The decision to award is scheduled for Nov. 25, and a notice of award (NOA) is expected to be issued by Nov. 28, with a publication date set for Dec. 5.
Once awarded, the project is expected to transform the Bohol-Panglao International Airport into a key regional hub, aligned with the National Tourism Development Plan and the government’s infrastructure flagship projects.
The Aboitiz Group secured the original proponent status for the deal in 2018. It was one of the high impact projects identified by the National Economic and Development Authority last year.
Aside from Bohol-Panglao, the Aboitiz Group won a P12.75-billion contract to upgrade, operate and maintain the Laguindingan International Airport this month.
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.
