MANILA, Philippines — Two proposals to develop key regional airports in Luzon and Visayas are set to take flight with the group of real estate magnate and former Sen. Manuel B. Villar Jr. securing the upper hand for its unsolicited offers.
Transportation Undersecretary Manuel Tamayo told The STAR that Prime Asset Ventures Inc. (PAVI) of the Villar Group has been granted by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) board with the original proponent status (OPS) for its unsolicited proposal to operate, maintain, and expand the Puerto Princesa airport and Iloilo International airport.
“Iloilo and Puerto Princesa airports were granted OPS last week. Documents will be forwarded to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) planning for endorsement to NEDA ICC (National Economic and Development Authority Investment Coordination Committee),” Tamayo said.
The DOTr recommended to CAAP early this year the grant of the OPS for both unsolicited offers so it can be further evaluated.
The grant of the OPS gives PAVI the advantage once a Swiss challenge is undertaken for the two airport projects.
The Puerto Princesa and Iloilo airports were supposed to be part of the six bundled regional airports under the public private partnership program of the previous administration.
The Villar Group, which has been expanding its real estate and mall empire, is also keen to expand in the infrastructure sector, particularly airports.
PAVI was among the companies that purchased bid documents last year for the 25-year contract to operate and maintain the Clark International Airport.
Villar, the richest among 17 Filipinos who made it to Forbes Magazine’s 2019 list of richest people on the planet, is into various businesses such as malls through Starmalls Inc., real estate through Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc., memorial lots and death care through Golden Bria Holdings Inc., retail through All Value Holdings Corp., and water distribution through PAVI.
The group is also expanding its empire into gaming, industrial leasing, and infrastructure.
In November last year, the Villar-led Prime Water consortium submitted the best offer to partner with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority for the water and wastewater project in New Clark City.