The Department of Transportation will award a 30-year operation and maintenance contract for the Bohol-Panglao International Airport to Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. after receiving no competing bids during the mandated Swiss challenge period, officials announced Thursday.
Transportation Undersecretary Timothy John Batan said the agency will recommend issuing the notice of award to Aboitiz this week for the P4.53 billion peso project.
The Swiss challenge, which allows rival companies to submit competing proposals against an original proponent, drew no other bidders.
“Considering that we have not received a comparative proposal for this project, we hereby recommend that we proceed with the next step,” Batan said during the announcement. “This involves submitting the recommendation to agency heads for the issuance of notice of award to the original proponent.”
The Department of Transportation and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines will formally award the project on Nov. 25, with the notice of award scheduled for Nov. 28, 2024.
Companies granted such notices must fulfill various regulatory and financial requirements by Dec. 11, 2024.
The facility’s turnover to Aboitiz is set for June 22, 2025.
The infrastructure unit of the Aboitiz Group secured original proponent status in 2018 for the airport concession on Panglao Island, positioning it as the preferred bidder pending the Swiss challenge process.
CONG. ATTY. EDGAR CHATTO
Former Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto emerged as a central figure in the airport’s development, spearheading the project from its early planning stages through completion.
During his governorship, Chatto coordinated extensively with the Department of Transportation, Department of Public Works and Highways, and Department of Tourism to bring the vision to reality.
Despite setbacks including the devastating 2013 earthquake that hit Bohol, Chatto’s administration successfully secured funding and maintained momentum for the project.
His leadership was instrumental in establishing public-private partnerships and ensuring the airport met international standards while maintaining its commitment to environmental sustainability.
The Bohol-Panglao International Airport, which opened in 2018, was designed as the country’s first eco-friendly aviation facility. It replaced the older Tagbilaran Airport and can accommodate larger aircraft and international flights, significantly boosting the region’s tourism capacity.
The facility serves as a crucial gateway to Bohol province, a popular tourist destination.
Even after his term, Chatto continues to advocate for the airport’s expansion and improvement, working with the National Economic Development Authority to enhance the facility’s capabilities and meet growing tourism demands.
The concession agreement gives Aboitiz InfraCapital responsibility for the airport’s operations, maintenance, and future upgrades.