The National Economic and Development Authority-Investment Coordination Committee (NEDA-ICC) has recently approved the unsolicited proposal of Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corporation for the ₱48.9 billion modernization of the Davao International Airport.
The first phase of the operate-add-transfer project, slated to start this year, will boost the airport’s passenger traffic by 15.1 million passengers per annum. It will be completed by 2028, with a concession period of 30 years.
A modernized Davao International Airport, the primary gateway to Mindanao and the third largest airport in the country after the Mactan International Airport and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, will bring in more trade and tourism, hastening the economic growth of the region, stressed Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade.
The unsolicited proposal covers the reconfiguration and expansion of the terminal building, construction of parallel taxiway, improvement of airside and landside facilities, installation of modern airport IT systems, and all activities needed to improve airport services.
“This is a very positive development as far as fast-tracking our infrastructure backlogs is concerned,” Secretary Vince Dizon, Presidential Adviser for Flagship Programs and Projects, noted. “This will also speed-up the realization of the transportation roadmap which the DOTr envisioned.”
After hurdling the NEDA-ICC, Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp. will now hold further discussions with the DOTr before seeking final approval from the NEDA Board chaired by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Once the NEDA Board has approved the unsolicited proposal, it will still have to undergo a Swiss challenge to allow rival bidders to challenge the project’s original proponent, Chelsea Logistics, which will then be given the right to match other offers.
The NEDA-ICC has also recently approved the unsolicited proposals for the MRT-4 project, the upgrade of the Laguindingan Airport, the EDSA Greenways Project and the Maritime Safety Enhancement Program (MSEP).
By EMMIE V. ABADILLA
January 2, 2020
