DOTr to evaluate P187-B Clark Airport proposal

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation (DoTr) is evaluating the P187-billion unsolicited proposal from Filinvest Group and JG Summit Holdings Inc. for the development of the Clark Airport.

Roberto Lim, DOTr undersecretary for the aviation sector told reporters on the sidelines of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Tourism Forum, the department is studying the unsolicited proposal from  Filinvest and JG Summit.

He said the proposal was submitted in early January.

The proposal, which covers a concession period of 50 years, involves augmentation of capacity of the Clark Airport in five phases to be able to accommodate up to 36 million passengers per annum.

At present, the existing terminal of the Clark Airport has an annual capacity of 4.2 million passengers.

GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC) president Louie Ferrer told reporters, the group had also submitted an unsolicited proposal for the development of the Clark Airport last year.

“We submitted business concept for Clark, to develop and operate like Mactan,” he said.

GMCAC is currently operating and undertaking development of the Mactan Cebu International Airport after it bagged the project under the public-private partnership (PPP) program.

Lim said GMCAC’s proposal was submitted at a time when Clark was still not open for unsolicited proposals.

He said the government changed its approach after considering the various options available.

“The administration earlier expressed position that PPP is not the only option. Of course there is ODA (official development assistance) funding, GAA (General Appropriations Act), unsolicited proposals. We follow. We look where there it is much cheaper, what is better. Elements involved is purely affordability,” he said.