The National Economic and Development Authority's Investment Coordination Committee has endorsed an unsolicited proposal from a private contractor to expand the Caticlan airport in Malay, Aklan, by reclaiming a part of the Sibuyan Sea.
According to documents submitted by the private proponent, the P2.5-billion Caticlan Airport Development project will extend the Caticlan runway from 950 meters to 2,100 meters, to meet international standards.
The existing Caticlan airport, officially named Godofredo P. Ramos Airport after the late congressman from Malay town in Aklan is classified as a feeder airport, one of the two gateways to the world-famous Boracay. Despite its status, Caticlan is the third busiest airport in the Philippines, with the fifth highest number of passengers and the second highest number of aircraft movement, according to aviation authorities.
Among the airlines using Caticlan airport are Asian Spirit Airlines,
http://www.seairphilippines.com and Air Philippines, which started operating in Dec. 15 last year.
The Caticlan International Airport and Development Corp., the project proponent, said it would build a new and bigger airport passenger terminal, improve the road network, and upgrade airport facilities and air traffic control aids.
At present, the short runway at Caticlan airport prevents larger aircraft from using it. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air use the larger Kalibo airport, which is 65 kilometers southeast of Caticlan.
The Filipino corporation said it would undertake the project through an unsolicited build-rehabilitate-operate-transfer scheme at no cost to the government.
It said that the total basic construction cost, about 25 percent will be allocated for mountain clearing and 17.7 percent for the reclamation work for runway extension.
The proponent intends to finance the development through a mix of bank loan and private sector equity with a ratio of 70 percent and 30 percent, respectively.
In its bid documents, Caticlan International Airport and Development Corp. said it would implement the project in 72 months, inclusive of commissioning and defects liability period.
It planned to start the construction of the project this year, although its unsolicited bid remain to be subjected to the so-called Swiss Challenge, where other interested parties will be given a chance to make a counter-offer.
Barring any hitches, the new airport will become operational from 2011
Rick St. John
