PH to invite bidders for Davao airport by 2025

Transportation Sec. Jaime Bautista —Photo courtesy of DOTr official Facebook page

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is targeting to open the bidding for the Davao International Airport by the first half of next year as it ramps up regional gateways to boost connectivity outside Metro Manila.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista told reporters last week they would invite interested proponents after completing the terms of reference, or the set of deliverables the bidders are expected to meet.

Last month, the DOTr said it was working with the International Finance Corp. (IFC) in crafting the project guidelines for the solicited bidding.

Bautista had said the partnership with IFC would “formulate the best way to rehabilitate, expand, operate and maintain the Davao International Airport.”

Also known as Francisco Bangoy (Davao) International Airport, this gateway is the third busiest airport in the country after Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

The government has been pouring investments into regional gateways to improve connectivity within the country and to provide various access to international destinations.

Apart from Davao, the DOTr is looking at developing airports in Busuanga, Bacolod, Bicol and General Santos, among others.

Last month, the DOTr awarded the P12.75-billion Laguindingan International Airport contract to Aboitiz Group. The same company is also expected to bag the P4.53-billion Bohol-Panglao International Airport before the month ends.

3 more airport dev’t contracts

For next year, the DOTr wants to award the contracts to develop Iloilo, Puerto Princesa and Kalibo airports.

The P20.85-billion Iloilo project and P10.24-billion Puerto Princesa contract were proposed by Villar-led Prime Asset Ventures Inc.

The P3.62-billion Kalibo International Airport project is an unsolicited proposal by Mega7 Construction Corp., a company owned by advertising firm Digichive Philippines Corp. and merchandise company Dominion Intertrade Corp.

The department also received a 2025 budget allocation of P12 billion to develop and expand the capacity of airports.

Bulk of the funding will go to the New Dumaguete Airport Development project (P6.1 billion), Tacloban Airport (P2.3 billion), Busuanga Airport (P1 billion), Laoag International Airport (P750 million) and Iloilo International Airport (P645 million).

The DOTr also set aside for Virac Airport (P280 million), Antique Airport (P125 million), New Bohol Airport Construction and Sustainable Environment Protection project (P90 million) and Bukidnon Airport (P50 million).