Poro Pt airport dev’t included in PPP list

MANILA, Philippines - The development of the Poro Point San Fernando Airport in La Union will be bid out as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project, state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said.

According to BCDA president and chief executive officer Arnel Paciano Casanova, the Project Development and Monitoring Facility Board of the PPP Center has approved funding support for a feasibility study for the project.

The proposed project has two components. These are the upgrade of the airport facilities to meet the International Civil Aviation Organization requirements for safety as well as to serve larger aircraft; and the construction of an airport terminal with commercial complex.

“Our agreement with the PPP Center states that it will fund the feasibility study, bidding and financial closing for approximately P69 million,” Casanova said in a text message.

He said the PPP Center would start working with the consultants of the project for the feasibility study next month.

He added that the bidding would take place “late next year after the feasibility study.”

The construction phase is seen to start by the middle of 2015.

“We are confident in the expertise of the PPP Center to take the lead in bidding out the development of the Poro Point San Fernando Airport,” Casanova said.

He also said under the PPP Center, the BCDA expects the development of the project to be fast-tracked.

The development of the Poro Point San Fernando Airport is envisioned to establish an airport that can accommodate direct international flights and serve as a gateway to La Union, Baguio and other tourist spots in the region.

The airport is also seen to provide a link and complement operations of the Clark International Airport.

Casanova said an airport terminal shopping mall similar to Changi Airport in Singapore would also be constructed, although at a much small scale.