Two parties have expressed interest in the upgrade and operations contract for Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental. This was revealed by Department of Transportation (DoTr) Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Roberto C.O. Lim during the recent 2024 Aviation Summit organized by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines. In a Philstar.com article, Usec Lim said tow parties including the tandem of businessmen Lucio Co and Jefferson Cheng have paid the participation fee of P250,000 but have not yet submitted a counter proposal. It may be recalled that early this year, the DoTr invited other parties for a Swiss challenge on the P12.75-billion proposal of Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. to operate, maintain, and expand the airport. If no parties end up formally challenging Aboitiz, the contract can be awarded to them within 90 days.
Accordingly, the duo of Co and Cheng used to lead the Asian Airport Consortium that competed with the group headed by San Miguel Corp. in the bidding for the upgrade of Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The SMC group eventually won the bid.
Read below DOTr’s instruction to challengers.
Here is DOTr’s invitation for the Swiss challenge released in February 2024.
