The Philippines Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has received six applications to pre-qualify to carry out five airports under PPP program.

The six groups that have applied to pre-qualify and bid are the following:

• GMR - Megawide consortium,
• JG Summit - Metro Pacific group,
• Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV),
• San Miguel Corporation (SMC).
• Philippine Skylanders Inc. and
• Union Equities

These PPP projects involve the development, operations and maintenance of the five regional airports. The concession period will be 30 years.

The development, operation and maintenance of the airports have been tendered as follows:

• Package A consists of Iloilo and Bacolod-Silay airports. The cost is estimated at  P50 billion (US$1.1 million).
• Package B consists of the Davao, Laguindingan, and New Bohol (Panglao) airports. The cost is estimated at P60 billion (US$1.3 billion).

The private partner will provide additional facilities and other necessary improvements to enhance passenger safety, security, access, passenger and cargo movement efficiency, and operational efficiency as well as actively market the airports in order to develop direct international passenger traffic and diversify revenue sources.

Prospective bidders have until July 27, Monday, to submit pre-qualification requirements for the bundled airport projects.