Gokongweis, Gotianuns eye control of three reg'l airports

The Gokongwei and Gotianun families are teaming up anew for a P16-billion offer to take over the Davao, Bicol and Siargao airports, a project that could spell the difference for air travel in the regions.

- By ELIJAH FELICE ROSALES

The Philippine Regional Airports Consortium is seeking the government's approval to bundle the Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao, Southern Luzon International Airport in Albay and the Sayak Airport in Siargao into one public-private partnership (PPP) deal.

The consortium is proposing to invest P16.05 billion for the upgrade of the airports, in exchange for 30-year control in Davao and Albay and a 15-year concession in Siargao.

Information provided by the PPP Center showed that the consortium is led by the Gokongweis' JG Summit Infrastructure Holdings Corp. and the Gotianuns' Filinvest Infra-Solutions Ventures Inc. They are joined by the Asian Infrastructure and Management Corp. in the proposal.

If the government approves the offer, the proponent will raise the passenger and cargo capacities of the airports by building new facilities and renovating existing ones. Likewise, there are plans to expand the runway of the Siargao airport to make it capable of landing jetliners.