Govt invites bidders for Laguindingan Airport upgrade

MANILA, Philippines: The Department of Transportation (DoTr) is inviting local and international companies to submit bids for the upgrade, expansion, operation, and maintenance of the Laguindingan International Airport.

Under the Public-Private-Partnership, the DOTr and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) have received an unsolicited proposal for the privatization of the airport. The proposal was reviewed and approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

«Following the procurement rule and regulation applicable to unsolicited proposals under the PPP Code, the Comparative Challenge Process must be conducted,» according to DOTr.

Laguindingan International Airport is among the airports lined up for privatization and is part of the government's Infrastructure Flagship Project aimed at defining the development of international flights, implementing commercial services, and expanding the airport's capacity to enhance passenger services.

This will serve the Northern Mindanao Region, composed of five provinces, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, and Camiguin, along with two highly urbanized cities — Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.

Just this month, the DoTr and CAAP led a groundbreaking event for the expansion of the airport's Passenger Terminal Building. This will raise the capacity from 500 to 860 passengers, reflecting a 72 percent growth.