Gov’t bids out Tacloban airport project
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has proceeded with its plan to rehabilitate regional airports amid the resurgence of air travel as it started the bidding process for the P661.31-million upgrade of Tacloban Airport.
This is to pick a contractor to improve the runway strip of the airport, the main gateway of Manila and Cebu to eastern Visayas.
The DOTr said that interested bidders could acquire a complete set of bidding documents until March 28. A prebid conference will be conducted on March 16. The bids must be received by the agency through manual submission by March 28.
The transportation department is set to open the bids by March 28.
“The DOTr reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award,” the agency said.
This recent move is in line with DOTr chief Jaime Bautista’s proclamation last year that the government would complete P1 trillion worth of regional airport projects in 2023.
Apart from the Tacloban Airport, the projects include construction and enhancement of airports in Tuguegarao, San Vicente (Palawan), Antique, Bacolod-Silay, Catbalogan, Davao , M’Lang (Cotabato), Sanga-Sanga (Tawi-tawi) and Ozamis.
Earlier this year, Bautista said they have been assessing unsolicited proposals for public-private partnership projects involving regional airports. The DOTr recently received one for the Laguindingan airport.
Connectivity issues
The transport chief previously underscored the need to address air connectivity by “increasing airport terminal building capacity and improving airport facilities by applying technology solutions.”
The major airport projects currently being completed are the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan and Sangley Point International Airport in Cavite. These are expected to serve as alternative gateways to decongest Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Recently, the DOTr inaugurated the new passenger terminal building at Butuan Airport, which has a project cost of P24.5 million. The expansion project increased the airport’s passenger capacity to 616 from 248 previously.
“As Butuan continues to progress, the DOTr, Caap (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines), together with the LGU (local government unit), worked with tremendous efforts to deliver this development with the aim of welcoming even more travelers and tourists to the city and in the surrounding Agusan del Norte Province,” Caap director general Manuel Tamayo said.
The airport currently services 12 flights :daily from Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines.
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