proposed Mactan Cebu International Airport a ₱17.5-billion project Cebu airport expansion
Interested parties in the ₱17.5-billion contract that aims to renovate and expand the Mactan-Cebu International Airport are expected to submit their eligibility documents to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) on Monday, April 22.
"We made sure that this project will also be attractive to investors in order to foster competitive and open bidding," the DOTC said Thursday.
Based on requirements laid down by the department, Philippine companies will have to partner with established airport operators from other countries as the DOTC said this will give local players an opportunity to learn from the technology employed by more advanced aviation firms.
In turn, the DOTC assured the private sector that the joint DOTC-Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIA) Prequalification, Bids, and Awards Committee (PBAC) will maintain a level playing field in the bid by upholding transparency and fairness, hallmarks of procurement reforms in the department.
Twelve companies bought bid documents for the project which include the consortium of Philippine Airlines and San Miguel Corp., Manuel Pangilinan's Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and Gokongwei's JG Summit Holdings Inc.; and the joint venture of Ayala Corp. and Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc.
"We are optimistic that the MCIA Project will generate the same level of interest from major local and international companies as what we saw from the AFCS (Automatic Fare Collection System) Project. We made sure that this project will also be attractive to investors in order to foster competitive and open bidding," said the DOTC.
The project's objective is to efficiently handle the increasing air traffic demand, ensure convenience of expected eight million passengers, and promote aircraft operational efficiency through the construction of new passenger terminal, installation of necessary equipment and renovation and expansion of the existing terminal including maintenance and management.
The 20-year concession contract is expected to be awarded by project leader DOTC before the end of the year. (Virgil Lopez/SDR/Sunnex)
