The Philippine government is eyeing seven more transportation projects aimed at improving public infrastructures in the country, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista said on Monday, Oct. 28.
Taguig International Terminal Exchange (DOTr photo)
In a Palace press briefing, the official detailed some of the projects they are working on.
“Right now, we are working on the unsolicited proposals for Bohol-Panglao International Airport,” he said, adding that the possible privatization of the Iloilo International Airport and the Davao International Airport are also in the pipeline.
“We’re working closely with a possible concessionaire. In fact, natapos na iyong aming negotiation ‘no (our negotiation just finished), and we will just need to get NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority) approval for this project,” he added when talking about the Iloilo airport.
For the Davao airport, Bautista disclosed that the agency last week “signed a transaction advisory services agreement with International Finance Corporation for them to assist us in preparing the terms of reference” for the airport’s privatization.
The DOTr will also be working together with the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center for the privatization, maintenance, and operation of the Kalibo International Airport.
“So we’re also working with ADB (Asian Development Bank) for privatization of possible seven to fifteen more airports in the country,” the official added.
But aside from improving the country’s airports, the DOTr will also be starting the operations of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line-1 extension.
“Tinitingnan namin na magkaroon ng additional service dito sa (We are looking at additional service here at) Line-1 for additional five more stations. And we are looking at the middle of November for the start of operations noong (of the) Line-1 extension,” Bautista shared.
The agency is also now working to award the projects for the Bohol-Panglao International Airport and the Cebu International Container Terminal to winning bidders.
The award for the Bohol-Panglao International Airport might be given before the end of the year if there will be no more challengers, while the notice and agreement for the Cebu International Container Terminal are also expected to be completed this year.
The Taguig International Terminal Exchange, which is modeled after the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), is also being considered.
“We are hoping to do this also before the end of the year,” the DOTr chief said.