MPIC Still Considering to Bid on Sangley Airport Project

Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan expressed that the company is still very much open to working on the Sangley airport project in Cavite.

“I think the investment to make a second runway in Sangley operable is much less than building a new airport, so that’s why we are open to it… We’ll… probably take the plunge… It will have to be with half of our eyes closed,” said MVP.

He also noted that Sangley airport would be a good complement to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport given their proximity to one another.

“The orientation of the runway is similar to the orientation of the existing runway of the NAIA, so it’s a good second runway to Manila.”

Additionally, the “robustness” of air travel post-pandemic would likewise have to be assessed as the company considers the project.

“The demand for airports is very evident now,” explained MVP. “We are fortunate that we have a fairly, under normal times, robust domestic travel market unlike Singapore and Hong Kong.”

Should MPIC decide to bid for the Sangley airport, it would also need to look for a partner.

Just last year, MacroAsia Corp. and its partner China Communications Construction Co. Ltd. had entered into negotiations for the project. However, “various deficiencies in the submission of requirements to conclude the joint venture agreement” led the latter to cancel its notice of selection and award.

Since then, Cavite has disseminated invitations for firms to submit joint venture proposals for the Sangley airport.

Source: BusinessWorld