THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) said Tuesday that it was in the process of conducting a Swiss challenge for two regional airport projects.
“The unsolicited proposals for Laguindingan International Airport and Bohol-Panglao International Airport are undergoing the Swiss challenge,” Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista said during the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines – San Miguel Corporation Aviation Forum.
A Swiss challenge is a form of procurement, usually required in unsolicited government projects, where other parties are given an opportunity to challenge the bid of the original proponent.
Bautista said the deadline for submission of the challenge bids for the Laguindingan PPP project was September 13, while that for the Bohol-Panglao project was November 11.
The agency earlier said at least two challengers paid a nonrefundable participation fee of P250,000 or $4,500 for the Laguindingan Airport project.
Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. earlier secured an original proponent status from the Duterte administration on its unsolicited proposals for the new Bohol-Panglao International Airport and the Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental.
Bautista also said that the DoTr was closely working with the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation as well as with the Asian Development Bank for the launch of additional PPP projects for next year.
These PPP projects involve airports in Basco, Busuanga, Cauayan, Daraga in Bicol,and Tuguegarao in Luzon and Bacolod, Calbayog, Catbalogan, Catarman, Ormoc, and Siquijor in the Visayas.
The DoTr is also considering tendering airport projects in Camiguin, Davao, General Santos, and Surigao in Mindanao.
“Meanwhile, the ADB is helping us evaluate how to proceed in upgrading, expanding or constructing the airports in Busuanga, Cauayan, Tuguegarao, Basco, Camiguin, Calbayog, Catbalogan, Catarman, Ormoc and Surigao,” Bautista said.
“Furthermore, apart from Dumaguete, other greenfield airports being pursued include the airports in Masbate, Naga, Pangasinan, Siargao and Zamboanga.”
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