DOTr invites private sector: Submit comparative proposal for Laguindingan International Airport expansion
Following the announcement of the winning bidder for the rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the Department of Transportation (DOTr) once again invited local and international companies on Friday, February 23, to submit challenging bids for the expansion of the Laguindingan International Airport in Misamis Oriental.
Under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program, the DOTr and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said they have received an unsolicited proposal for the privatization of the Laguindingan International Airport, which was later evaluated and approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
The DOTr and CAAP said it will open the submission of comparative proposals from private entities under a Comparative Challenge Process to finance, design, construct, operate, and maintain the project under a 30-year concession period.
The airport development project, according to the DOTr, will include aviation strategy for new airlines and new connection including development of international flights; expansion of the airport's capacity according to market demand; and introduction of new concepts of sustainability and connectivity to improve the environmental and operational performance of the airport.
The airport's development and upgrade are seen to improve passenger experience and implement commercial services in the extended terminal and on landside, the DOTr furthered.
The Laguindingan International Airport is among the airports lined up for privatization, and is part of the infrastructure flagship projects of the national government.
The development project will serve the Northern Mindanao Region, composed of five provinces: Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, and Camiguin, along with two highly urbanized cities, Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.
Just this month, the DOTr and CAAP led the groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of the airport's Passenger Terminal Building, which increased its capacity from the current 500 to 860 passengers, representing a 72-percent rise.
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