SPIA Development Consortium has secured the $11-billion contract to build and operate the Sangley Point International Airport in Cavite — a fully modernized, world-class and green airport.
In a disclosure to the stock exchange, MacroAsia Corp., one of the members of SPIA Consortium, said the provincial government of Cavite led by Governor Juanito Remulla gave the notice of award to SPIA in a ceremony held on September 14.
The consortium members led by Cavitex Holdings Inc., Yuchengco Group of Companies through House of Investments Inc., and Samsung C & T Corp. as well as its other members, Lucio Tan-led MacroAsia, Munich Airport International GmbH and Ove Arup & Partners Hongkong Ltd., signed the consortium collaboration agreement during the event.
“With the awarding today (September 14) by the Provincial Government of Cavite, we are excited to begin the work necessary to finally implement this long-needed infrastructure project that is aimed at providing a premium gateway that will initially serve as an alternative to NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport), and designed to meet an anticipated increase in demand for air transport in the next 30-40 years,” SPIA said.
The local government of Cavite awarded the project to SPIA Consortium after no challenger emerged during the 60-day mandatory competitive or Swiss Challenge process that ended on August 17. SPIA got the original proponent status last January following the failed bidding last year.
Remulla earlier said construction of the project is expected to start by next year, or six months after the detailed plan is completed.
Sangley Point International Airport is envisioned as a two-runway airport with a capacity for 80 million passengers per annum, expandable to four runways to handle up to 130 million passengers per annum.
The project includes the construction of a 4-kilometer connector road, with provisions for rail connectivity, as well as fully integrated logistics and aviation support facilities.
With the development of the first runway, the airport can operate as a satellite runway to immediately relieve the extreme congestion of the runway at NAIA.
The SPIA Consortium said the project is expected to create 50,000 jobs and be a catalyst project to bring in foreign direct investments that will promote trade and economic development.
It added it is well prepared for the work at hand and committed to deliver within the project timelines given the local and international members who are reputable developers and investors that have track records in developing large-scale infrastructure projects.
As the Philippine lead, Cavitex will bring in its expertise in infrastructure development, while the Yuchengco Group will contribute its expertise and financial resources in developing large-scale projects.
MacroAsia will lend its expertise with aviation support in logistics and technical services for aviation support.
The foreign members have expertise in construction and improvement of several international airports. – Myla Iglesias
