Fate of regional airport proposals to be decided this month

The fate of unsolicited proposals submitted by the Aboitiz Group and Dennis Uy-led Chelsea Logistics Corp. on two regional airports are set to be decided this month.

Transportation Undersecretary for planning Ruben Reinoso Jr. told The

STAR the agency hopes to finish evaluation of unsolicited proposals for the New Bohol International Airport in Panglao and the Davao International Airport within the month.

“It’s still ongoing evaluation and need clarification from proponents on their financial offers,” Reinoso said.

Both Aboitiz and Chelsea each submitted earlier bundled unsolicited proposals for a number of the country’s regional airports, but was rejected by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

The DOTr has instead asked the groups to unbundle their proposals as many of the airports can stand on their own, resulting in Aboitiz choosing the New Bohol International Airport in Panglao and Chelsea picking the Davao International Airport.

The DOTr is also reviewing a resubmitted unsolicited proposal for the operation and maintenance and upgrade of the Kalibo International Airport by FilipinoChinese firm Mega7 Construction Corp., which is led by a certain Andrew Ngui.

Aside from these three airports, Reinoso said other regional airports such as the Bacolod-Silay International Airport, the Iloilo International Airpot, and Laguindingan Airport have yet to receive unsolicited proposals from the private sector.

Reinoso earlier said these airports may instead be bidded out by the government.