The Cavite provincial government will push through with the scheduled signing of the joint venture agreement with SPIA Development Consortium for the $10-billion Sangley Point International Airport (SPIA) project in Cavite which is set to begin construction in 2023.
“We are signing the joint venture development agreement on 14th (September) with all the stakeholders,” Cavite Governor Juanito Victor Remulla said in a text message over the weekend.
Last month, the Cavite provincial government confirmed no other bidder challenged the unsolicited proposal of SPIA Consortium, which is composed of the Yuchengco Group of Companies, MacroAsia Corp., Cavitex Holdings Inc. and three renowned global firms — Samsung C&T Corp. of South Korea; Munich Airport International GmbH, the management services arm of Munich Airport; and the London-based Arup Group.
After the signing of the contract this week, construction of the project is expected to start next year, once the detailed plan is completed.
“Maybe six months to perfect the details,” Remulla said, when asked on the timeline of the construction.
The first phase of the Sangley airport is hoped to be completed in the next three to five years, Remulla added.
Last January, the local government of Cavite awarded the original proponent status to the SPIA that gives the consortium the right to directly negotiate the final terms and conditions of the joint venture with the province and the right to match the best counter proposal that may be received during the 60-day mandatory competitive or Swiss challenge process.
The partnership with Cavite province will encompass the development, design, financing, construction, operation and maintenance of the Sangley airport project.
Meanwhile, the SPIA Consortium earlier said as soon as the project is awarded, it is ready to transform Sangley airport into a premium gateway that can provide an alternative to the congested Ninoy Aquino International Airport, thus significantly boosting economic growth and enhancing the local tourism and aviation industries.
After final planning, design and financial closing, the work would immediately begin with the construction of a 4.6-kilometer connector road from the Kawit Interchange of Cavitex that would lead to Sangley, with the time of completion estimated at two years, the consortium said.
The long-delayed Sangley Airport project is envisioned as a fully modernized, world-class and green airport that is designed to meet an anticipated increase in demand for air transport in the next 30 to 40 years. – Myla Iglesias
