Dennis Uy’s air navigation solution under gov’t review

The P29.82-billion unsolicited proposal of tech tycoon Dennis Uy’s Comclark Network and Technology Corp. to upgrade and operate the country’s air navigation facilities is now undergoing review, according to the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center of the Philippines.

Jeffrey Manalo, deputy executive director of the PPP Center, told the Inquirer the detailed evaluation of the PPP project, which is being done by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap), would be concluded by Nov. 9.

“Should the proposal hurdle the detailed evaluation process, it will undergo negotiation and approval process before it reaches a comparative challenge,” he explained.

A comparative challenge is conducted to invite rival bids. If no other proposals are submitted, the proponent will automatically secure the project. Should there be challengers, the original proponent can match the best rival offer.

Awarding of the project is expected by next year.

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The project, which seeks to improve air traffic safety, includes “upgrading equipment/facilities, implementing redundancy measures, and ensuring compliance with international standards,” according to the PPP website.

“Through a comprehensive assessment and proposed alternatives, the study seeks to introduce transformative measures aimed at modernizing and privatizing air navigation services across the Philippines,” it added.

ComClark CEO Dennis Anthony Uy, who also runs internet service provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc., said in a statement they have the technology and experience to realize the air traffic system project.

Last Sept. 30, Caap completed the integration of its new communications, navigation, surveillance/air traffic management system (CNS/ATM), which is aimed at making flight operations more efficient.

READ: Experts sought for air navigation system upgrade

This was in line with Caap’s goal of modernizing the country’s air traffic management system.
The system upgrade came over a year after a power outage had hit the air navigation facilities of CAAP on Jan. 1 last year, affecting hundreds of flights and thousands of passengers.

The system used to direct air traffic is composed of 13 radars strategically located across the country, including Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals, Clark, Tagaytay, Aparri, Laoag, Cebu-Mt. Majic, Quezon-Palawan, Zamboanga, Mactan, Bacolod, Kalibo and Davao airports.

Airlines, at the time, operated several recovery flights to normalize the operations following the disruption.

Caap’s P10.8-billion CNS/ATM system, which was funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, was completed in October 2017. It was inaugurated in 2018 and began operating in 2019. —Tyrone Jasper C. Piad