The Department of Transportation (DOTr) targets to hold the Laguindingan International Airport upgrade and operations project to a Swiss Challenge in August.
“We are finalizing the privatization of the Laguindingan airport. The Swiss Challenge, I think, will be on 12 or 13 August,” Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said on Wednesday.
“We’re expecting a Swiss Challenge,” he reiterated.
Such a challenge is a form of procurement required in an unsolicited project allowing other parties the opportunity to challenge the bid of a proponent.
The DOTr earlier said at least two challengers paid a non-refundable participation fee of P250,000 or $4,500 for the Laguindingan Airport Swiss Challenge.
The Laguindingan International Airport project, an unsolicited proposal from Aboitiz InfraCapital, was accepted by the DOTr and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) under the provisions of Republic Act 11966 or the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Code of the Philippines.
The challenge process involves the submission of comparative proposals to finance, design, construct, operate and maintain the Laguindingan International Airport under a 30-year concession period. The upgrade project is one of the infrastructure flagship projects of the national government to enhance connectivity to the Northern Mindanao region, which includes Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon and Camiguin and the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro.
The project seeks to define an aviation strategy and connection for new airlines, expand airport capacity according to market demand, introduce sustainable concepts and enhance passenger experience through operational and environmental improvements.
