DOTr seeks bids for P265-m Virac airport upgrade
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is bidding out the contract for the development of the Virac Airport in Catanduanes as part of efforts to improve connectivity outside Metro Manila.
In a public notice, the DOTr invited potential contractors, particularly those who have completed a similar project, to join the competitive bidding.
READ: DOTr chief commits privatization of 10 airports by 2028
The agency has allotted P264.61 million for boosting the said gateway. This would include the construction of a control tower, power house, cistern tank and pump house, as well as the extension of the runway.
The DOTr set a pre-bid conference for interested parties on July 14.
For this year, the DOTr received a budget allocation of P12 billion to develop and expand the capacity of air hubs outside the National Capital Region.
The bulk of the funding has been set aside for 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).
Also, P125 million was earmarked for the Antique Airport; P90 million for the New Bohol Airport Construction and Sustainable Environment Protection project; and P50 million for the Bukidnon Airport.
Enhancements in the new Zamboanga International Airport and Siquijor Airport—included among the government’s greenfield projects—would be supported with a P200-million budget each.
Last month, transportation chief Vince Dizon said the agency would pursue the privatization of 10 more regional airports by 2028. These are the airports in Iloilo, Davao, Siargao, Laoag, Busuanga, Bicol, Tacloban, Bacolod-Silay, General Santos and Puerto Princesa.
This came as the government turned over the operations of the Bohol-Panglao International Airport to Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc.
Last year, San Miguel-led New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC). also took over the operations of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
NNIC has committed to spending more than P170 billion to rehabilitate and modernize the country’s main air gateway. INQ
