DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/ 27 Jan) — Davao-based business tycoon Dennis Uy, one of the campaign funders of President Rodrigo Duterte in the May 2016 presidential race, is presenting his unsolicited proposal for the 40.57 billion-peso Davao International Airport Development Project before the Investment Coordination Committee-Technical Board (ICC-TB) of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on January 31.
Uy is chair and founder of Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corporation, which provides marine shipping services, transporting passengers, cargoes, petroleum, oil, chemicals, and other bulk products, according to Bloomberg.
Davao International Airport under the “Build, Build, Build” program will be transformed into a “world-class” airport. MindaNews file photo by MANMAN DEJETO
The Udenna Corporation, another company owned by Uy engaged in the “distribution and retail of petroleum product and lubricants under the Phoenix brand,” was earlier granted by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) with original proponent status for the development of the proposed 39.4-kilometer intra-city urban rail transit system project in Davao City, according to City Planning and Development Office head Ivan Cortez.
Uy’s Udenna and Chelsea Holdings created a consortium with China Telecom known as Mislatel that was officially declared as the country’s new major telco player after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) En Banc issued its confirmation order on November 19.
The ICC-TB, which deliberates on ‘program/project proposals and endorses meritorious ones to the ICC-Cabinet Committee for approval,” is composed of representatives from NEDA, Department of Finance, Office of the President, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agriculture, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Energy, and Public-Private Partnership Center.
NEDA 11 director Maria Lourdes Lim told Kapihan sa PIA on Friday that the multi-billion airport development project involves the provision of additional facilities and other necessary improvement to enhance safety, security, access, passenger and cargo movement efficiency at the airport, excluding air traffic control, air navigation and their associated services.
She said a feasibility study is currently being undertaken for the airport development project.
Lim added that the DOTr is also working on the procurement of the consultancy services for the advance engineering, environmental impact assessment, and detailed engineering design for the “optimum development of the Davao Airport. “
Lim said the improvements are necessary to revitalize the airport, citing Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines’ assessment that it is still good for another 10 years.
A press release issued by the DOTr on October 24, 2018 said the agency granted Chealsea Logistics Holdings Corporation with “original proponent status” for the operation, maintenance, and expansion of the airport, nearly five months after the company submitted its unsolicited proposal on May 28.
It added the company will also “offer a new technology to enhance passenger experience and an airport operator which captures data to deliver efficient operations.”
The unsolicited proposal would have to undergo a Swiss challenge, which means “other groups may submit counterproposals and both companies have the option to match,“ it said. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
