By Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat
The Provincial government of Cavite (PGC) is proceeding with its proposed 1,500-hectare international airport project stressing it does not need the approval of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) for the project’s implementation.
In a statement, the Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla said the province is undertaking the Sangley Point International Airport project under the PGC’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Code and as such it will no longer require the approval of the NEDA.
As such, Remulla announced the start of the bidding for PGC’s joint venture for co-development of Sangley Point International Airport Project project estimated to cost $10 billion.
PGC has called on qualified firms to submit joint venture proposals starting this month until November 25 this year.
The selected JV Partner will be providing the necessary equity investment and credit enhancements, and subject to a further competitive process or price test, perform Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) services for the land and airport development components of the Project. In addition to the legal, technical and financial qualifications set by the PGC, the selected JV Partner must also pass the credit standards of the Project lenders.
The proposed master-planned international airport hub will feature four runways, airside and landside facilities, and can accommodate up to 130 million passengers annually. The airport is expected to be at par with Singapore’s Changi International Airport, Hong Kong International Airport, and South Korea’s Incheon International Airport, as it is positioned to be the next big thing in air transport innovation in the country.
The target completion of the Project's first phase is slated on 2022 and will be able to accommodate 75 million passengers yearly. The second phase of development will follow with target completion in 2028.
“Modernizing air transport in the country with a world-class airport project is a huge undertaking. It requires innovative capacities and reliable resources that could be more efficiently expedited with joint public and private sector expertise,” said Remulla.
Remulla said that PGC as the lead proponent and implementing agency of the project supports the Department of Transportation’s (DoTr) multi-airport strategy to decongest Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the country’s main international gateway, which passenger volume is already about 40 percent above its design capacity of 31 million passengers yearly.
The fully integrated Sangley Point International Airport is a key project under the government’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure development agenda and enforces the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Dream Plan which aims to increase efficiency, mobility and quality of life in Metro Manila through a modern and well-coordinated transport system.
“PPP has proven vital in improving the quality of infrastructure projects for the benefit of Filipinos, and we expect nothing less for Sangley Point International Airport here in Cavite. We look forward to the Joint Venture because it will open new avenues not only in terms of stimulating efficiency for national economic growth, but also for the urbanization of Cavite,” said Remulla.