Aboitiz unit awaits nod to operate Bohol airport

CEBU, Philippines — Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. (AIC), the infrastructure unit of the Aboitiz Group, is eyeing to start operating the new Bohol-Panglao International Airport this year.

That is if it gets a nod from the government.

AIC chief operating officer Cosette Canilao said yesterday the firm's independent unsolicited proposals to upgrade, operate, maintain and expand the Bohol-Panglao Airport as well as the Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental are on the right track.

“We were granted original proponent status (OPS) by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for the Bohol-Panglao on September 3, 2018. We are hopeful that the government will allow us to operate these two regional gateways this year,” she said in a statement Tuesday.

The new air gateway in Bohol was inaugurated by President Duterte last November 27.

The new airport aims to address the rising demand for air transportation in Bohol province, a prime tourist hub in Central Visayas.

The new Bohol Airport is equipped with a 2500-meter runway and a passenger terminal capable of handling 2 million people annually, compatible with international safety standards.

 Japan provided the Philippines with an official development assistance (ODA) loan amounting to 15 billion yen (P7 billion) to build the project. 

Meanwhile, last December 12, AIC took to DOTr some clarifications to address queries on its original unsolicited proposal for the Laguindingan Airport which was submitted on August 10, 2018. “It is not a revised offer but a response to DOTr’s requests [for additional info],” Canilao noted.

She added AIC has identified an experienced international airport operator to work with on the P42.7-billion project. It has tapped design and engineering firm Arup as consultant for the technical studies and masterplan of the Laguindingan proposal.

Apart from the regional airports, AIC is also a member of the NAIA Consortium which was granted OPS by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) on September 10, 2018 to rehabilitate, operate and expand the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

“We are hopeful that the government will grant the consortium the notice to proceed this 2019 so that we can commence the expansion of NAIA to accommodate 65 million passengers per year,” NAIA Consortium spokesperson Jimbo Reverente said.

The Aboitiz Group said it has refocused its strategy to the infrastructure priorities of the country particularly water and transport projects.