AEV interested in PPP projects

MANILA, Philippines - Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. (AEV) is interested to participate in the bidding for the redevelopment of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Roman Azanza, first vice president for business development at AEV told reporters yesterday the company is keen on public-private partnership (PPP) deals in the airport space including the NAIA project. “I think it’s fair to say that everyone is interested in the NAIA. Who isn’t? It’s the main gateway to the Philippines,” he said.

The National Economic and Development Authority Board has approved the NAIA PPP project which seeks to improve the safety and security, as well as maximize the capacity of the airport through infrastructure or assets for air traffic and land side management.

Apart from upgrading the airport, the project would also transfer the operations of the NAIA to the private partner.

Under the deal, the concession period covers 15 to 20 years, including the design or construction.

Other major conglomerates interested in the NAIA  project such as Ayala Corp., San Miguel Corp., Metro Pacific Investments Corp., as well as the group of Lucio Tan.

Azanza said AEV also continues to be interested in the regional airports PPP deal which is expected to have bid submissions before the end of the year.

The project has two bundles with the first one composed of the Iloilo Airport and Bacolod-Silay Airport, and the second one covering the Davao Airport, New Bohol (Panglao) Airport and the Laguindingan Airport.

Under the project, the winning private firm for each bundle would be responsible for operations and maintenance of the airports as well as expansion of facilities.

The Maya Consortium which AEV is part of, is among the groups pre-qualified by the previous administration to bid for the regional airports project.