The Department of Transportation (DoTr) said Wednesday it plans to hold the Swiss Challenge for two regional airports in the first quarter of 2024.
“The Swiss Challenge for Laguindingan Airport and Bohol-Panglao International Airport will be ready within the quarter,” DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said.
Swiss Challenge is a form of procurement, usually required in an unsolicited project, where other parties are given an opportunity to challenge the bid of the original proponent.
“We have communicated this to the proponent, and we’re just negotiating the final terms,” Bautista said.
“After that, we will report to NEDA [National Economic and Development Authority], and then it will be ready for the Swiss Challenge also. Maybe within the quarter,” he said.
Aboitiz InfaCapital Inc. earlier secured an original proponent status (OPS) from the Duterte administration on unsolicited proposals for the new Bohol-Panglao International Airport and the Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental.
Meanwhile, Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp. secured an OPS from the DOTr for its unsolicited proposal for the Davao International Airport.
The DOTr, on the other hand, awarded an OPS to Mega7 Construction Corp. for the Kalibo International Airport.
Other unsolicited proposals submitted under the previous administration were from Prime Asset Ventures Inc. of the Villar Group for the Puerto Princesa Airport and Iloilo International Airport and Philippine Airport Ground Support Solutions Inc. for the Siargao Airport in Surigao del Norte.