THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) plans to hold a Swiss challenge for Bohol-Panglao Airport project by the fourth quarter of the year, a senior official said.
Transportation Undersecretary Roberto Lim said the government was on schedule for the execution of the competitive challenge.
"There were some presentations made to the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) Cabinet Committee and there are some directives given. So, we simply have to continue discussion and negotiations with the proponent," Lim told reporters at the sidelines of an event last Friday.
Lim said that while the Swiss challenge had not yet started, preparations were moving "very quickly" .
The Aboitiz group secured original proponent status (OPS) for the New Bohol-Panglao International Airport's operations and maintenance in 2018.
"There were many revisions they had to make because of Covid (pandemic). And then when it came to this new (Marcos Jr.) administration, of course, we have new implementing rules for the unsolicited proposals issued by the (Public-Private Partnership) Center," Lim earlier said.
An OPS grants the initial bidder the right to match bids from challengers. This is in line with the revised PPP Code wherein unsolicited proposals must undergo a comparative challenge, allowing the original bidder a set time to match any competing offers.
The DoTr said that a competitive challenge would help enhance the airport's infrastructure, services and overall efficiency and benefit passengers and stakeholders.
Lim also said that the country currently had a very liberal policy on developing airspace outside of Manila.
"Our policy is if you want to fly to a destination outside of Manila, Cebu, Clark, Davao, Baguio, Iloilo, you can fly there already with unlimited frequency," he said. He also said that the open skies policy aimed to boost connectivity and tourism.
In line with these initiatives, the DoTr said that it was continuing to push forward with infrastructure projects and policies designed to enhance transportation and air service relations.