The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is set to award Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. the contract to operate and maintain (O&M) the Bohol-Panglao International Airport after the Swiss Challenge process failed to generate competing proposals.
DOTr undersecretary Timothy Batan confirmed that with no comparative bids received, the next step is to recommend the issuance of a notice of award (NOA) to the original proponent. “We hereby recommend that we proceed with the next step, which is submission of the recommendation to the heads of agencies for the issuance of notice of award to the original proponent,” Batan said.
The P4.53-billion project includes the expansion, upgrade, and long-term maintenance of the Bohol-Panglao International Airport. Aboitiz InfraCapital is poised to manage the facility’s operations for 30 years under an operate-add-transfer (OAT) arrangement. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) board is scheduled to meet on 15 November, with the bids and awards committee’s recommendation due by 18 November. The final decision to award the contract is set for 25 November, and the NOA is expected to be issued by November 28, with a publication date of 5 December.
The project aims to transform the Bohol-Panglao International Airport into a regional hub, supporting the National Tourism Development Plan and aligning with the government’s infrastructure flagship initiatives. It is one of the high-impact projects identified by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in 2023.
Aboitiz InfraCapital first secured original proponent status for the Bohol-Panglao project in 2018. This marked a significant development for the group, which also won a P12.75-billion contract earlier this month to upgrade and manage the operations of Laguindingan International Airport in Northern Mindanao. This project is expected to improve connectivity to five provinces—Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, and Camiguin—and key cities including Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.
The Laguindingan upgrade is aligned with the government’s broader strategy of enhancing air travel in the region, with plans to expand airport capacity, develop international flights, and integrate sustainable operational improvements to improve passenger experience.
Both projects are seen as critical components in the national government’s efforts to boost regional connectivity and tourism, supporting long-term growth in the Philippines’ aviation sector.
