THE Aboitiz Group’s infrastructure unit, Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., is ready to resume discussions with the government for its unsolicited airport projects — the Bohol-Panglao International Airport, Laguindingan Airport and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
“We remain keen on the airport projects as we believe these are vital in reviving the economy. As with all of the Aboitiz Group’s projects and businesses, we are assessing COVID-19’s impact on our proposals,” Cosette Canilao, Aboitiz InfraCapital president and chief executive officer, said in a statement.
Last year, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board approved the P3.8-billion Bohol-Panglao International Airport project and the NAIA consortium’s P102-billion NAIA rehabilitation and expansion project.
Aboitiz is one of the members of the NAIA consortium, which also includes AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Alliance Global Group Inc., Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corp., Filinvest Development Corp. and JG Summit Holdings Inc.
The Laguindingan Airport project has secured the NEDA-Investment Coordination Committee approval last year.
These projects are expected to undergo Swiss challenge this year.
In addition, Aboitiz InfraCapital is open to discussing with the government its unsolicited proposal, along with the Ayala Group and Unisys, for a National Identification Card (ID) system submitted to the Philippine Statistics Authority in 2018.
The urgent need for a National ID system became even more apparent under the present conditions to help hasten the COVID-19 aid distribution.
“We believe in the project and would be happy to discuss with the government should they consider our proposal,” Canilao said.
For Apo Agua, the Aboitiz Group’s bulk water supply project with the Davao City Water District, regular meetings are being conducted to assess and mitigate the COVID-19’s full impact on the project timeline.
The Aboitiz Group supports the government’s commitment to pursue key projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program.
“Increasing infrastructure spending, whether funded by government or private sector, will play a significant role in helping rebuild our economy. We stand ready to support the government by investing in the development of key infrastructure projects,” said Canilao.
For Aboitiz InfraCapital’s common tower project, discussions with partners Globe Telecom, Smart Communications and Dito Telecommunity on the first batch of towers are ongoing.
“The current crisis has clearly proven the urgent need for digital infrastructure to support better telecommunication services, and the Aboitiz Group is ready to provide this through our common tower project,” Canilao said.
On-the-ground activities such as site surveys and site acquisitions are expected to resume once the Luzon and local enhanced community quarantines are lifted, the company said.
Together with the rest of the Aboitiz Group, Aboitiz InfraCapital said it continues to assist its clients and stakeholders amid the coronavirus pandemic.
