The Department of Transportation (DoTr) will soon be inviting other parties for a Swiss challenge on the Aboitiz group’s proposal to upgrade, operate, and maintain Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental. According to BusinessWorld, DOTr Undersecretary Timothy John R. Batan said the Swiss challenge is targeted to commence within the first quarter of 2024 with the publication of the invitation for submission of comparative proposals pursuant to the public–private partnership (PPP). The PPP project has a total cost of P45.75 billion and aims to improve and expand the terminal facilities and operations of the airport.
Meanwhile, Cosette V. Canilao, Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. president and chief executive officer, stated that they have already completed negotiations and the DoTr will now secure approval for the Swiss challenge.
A Swiss challenge is a public procurement method which allows a private entity or a third party to submit a proposal for a project. Once the proposal is received, the government or the original project proponent must then open the proposal to public scrutiny and invite other interested parties to submit counter-proposals.
The first phase of the Laguindingan International Airport PPP project is being targeted for implementation from 2024 to 2026. The airport capacity will increase from 1.6 million passengers a year to 3.9 million by the end of the first phase and to 6.1 million by the end of the second phase.
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