Sunwest expects to bag airport deal

MANILA, Philippines - The Sunwest Group of Companies said it now expects to bag the construction contract to develop the Bicol International Airport following a favorable court ruling.

Robert Uy, Sunwest Construction Development Corp (SCDC) vice president and chief operating officer, said the company may begin construction of the Bicol Region’s premier airport after a local court dismissed a legal challenge thrown by losing bidders, BSP & Co. Inc and 4B Construction Corp.

“After five months of waiting, we hope that with this developments and the court’s decision, DOTC will finally award and issue the notice to proceed on the project to us,” Uy said.

In 2012, the Department of Transportation and Communications Bids and Awards Committee opened the bids for the project and declared SCDC as the lowest bidder.

BSP & Co Inc. and 4B Construction Corp., however, sought the help of the Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court to nullify the results of the bidding.

The court, however, dismissed both companies’ petition for lack of jurisdiction.

Bicol lawmakers, led by Albay Rep. Al Francis Bichara, chairman of the House committee on foreign affairs, have asked Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya to also ensure the implementation of the project.

SCDC is a construction company in the Bicol region and an affiliate of Sunwest Water and Electric Co. (Suweco), both of which are owned by Legazpi-based entrepreneur and businessman Elizaldy Co.

The company earlier built the renewable energy plants of Suweco and is building two more plants to be commissioned this year – the 600 kilowatt Cawayan Upper hydroproject in Sorsogon and the first hydropower project in Panay Island, the eight-MW Villasiga project.

Suweco is also set to proceed with its 15-year power supply project in Tablas Island after a signing ceremony last week.

Under the agreement, Suweco shall take over the power supply obligation in Tablas Island,Tielco general manager Orville Ferranco said.

The power supply covers the regular needs of the electric cooperative, its reserve capacity for the initial years of the agreement and fixed capacity thereafter with the right to priority dispatch.

The development of the Bicol airport is seen to support the growth of tourism in the island.