Aboitiz to submit more unsolicited proposals for regional airports

MANILA, Philippines — The infrastructure business unit of the Aboitiz Group plans to submit more unsolicited proposals for the development and rehabilitation of regional airports across the country on top of offers made for the Bohol-Panglao and Laguindingan airports.

“We’re always on the lookout, but since it’s unsolicited, it’s a race, we cannot disclose yet which. But yes, we are continuously looking for opportunites to develop and rehabilitate regional gateways,” Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. chief operating officer Cosette Canilao said.

Aboitiz InfraCapital has already been granted original proponent status (OPS) for its unsolicited proposals to upgrade, expand, operate, and maintain the Bohol-Panglao International Airport and Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental.

Securing an OPS gives the company the right to match offers from other parties when a Swiss challenge is conducted for the project.

Canilao said the company hopes to have the Swiss challenge undertaken for these two projects within the first half.

“Both Department of Transportation and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines forwarded our proposals to the NEDA for deliberation, evaluation and approval of the ICC and eventually the NEDA board,” Canilao said.

Aboitiz InfraCapital said its proposed improvements to the Bohol-Panglao International and Laguindingan airports would result in efficient passenger flow within the airport terminals, a better retail and dining experience, and increased flight destinations with reduced congestion at the terminals.

The company earlier announced that it is teaming up with Irish airport operations company daa International for its two regional airports proposals.

daa International is the global airport operations management subsidiary of Ireland’s Dublin Airport Authority with over 75 years experience in airport management ownership and development. 

Its principal activities include airport management and development growth, routes development, international travel retail, and associated aviation services.