National Economic and Development Authority (Neda)-Western Visayas assistant director Gilberto Altura said that the expansion of the Bacolod-Silay Airport could be realized in 2019.
Altura revealed the plan during the 2017-2022 Regional Development Plan Roadshow at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol.
The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) is planning to undertake the expansion of Bacolod-Silay International airport.
The project involves the expansion of the runway from 2,002x45 meters to 2,500x45m and the terminal building space from 6,187 square meters to 41,900m2 area.
The expansion will be implemented in three phases.
The project includes an expansion of its apron from 25,300m2 to 130,000m2 area, construction of other related facilities and the installation of new operational and technology systems.
Once complete, the airport will feature a runway increased by 500m and its passenger terminal building by 35,713m, and its apron by 104,700m.
In September 2014, DOTC approved expansion plans for Bacolod-Silay International airport to be implemented under an Operate-Add-Transfer scheme with the private sector investments.
In October 2014, Neda Board has approved the proposed project.
In December 2014, DOTC issued pre-qualification for development, operations, and maintenance of the project on July 27, 2015, as the submission deadline.
On June 19, 2015, DOTC has released bidding guidelines for the development as well as operation and maintenance.
In September 2015, Five consortiums namely Filinvest-Jatco-Sojitz Consortium, GMR Infrastructure and Megawide Consortium, Maya Consortium, a partnership between Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., and VINCI Airports, Philippine Airports Consortium a partnership between Metro Pacific Investment Corporation and Philippine Airports Management Company, and San Miguel Holdings Company-IIAC Airport Consortium has qualified to bid for the project.
Bids cancelled
On January 24, 2017, DOTC issued fresh pre-qualification for development, operations, and maintenance of the project.
The five previously pre-qualified contractors would directly participate in the main tender process as pre-qualified contractors.
In May 2017, DOTC terminated the PPP mode of procurement for the project as it will pursue the expansion project by securing funds from official development assistance (ODA) or from its annual budget, the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is reportedly revising the feasibility study on the project.
