A Davao-based infrastructure firm presented an unsolicited proposal to develop, operate and maintain the Bacolod Silay International Airport (BSIA) in Silay City before the Negros Occidental Provincial Development Council (PDC) at the Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City, Wednesday, December 9.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson withheld the PDC’s action on the proposal of Udenna Infra Corp. pending an endorsement from the Silay City Development Council, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said today, December 9.
Udenna is proposing a 40-year Public-Private Partnership for the management and development of the BSIA with an estimated P10.9 billion to be infused into the project.
The general scope of work will cover the reconfiguration and expansion of the passenger terminal building, landside and airside improvements including runway extension, and introduction of new airport technologies to enhance the passenger experience, the PDC was told.
The proposal presented by Engineer Manuel Jamonir, Udenna Infra Corp. assistant vice president for operations, said the Bacolod Silay Airport passenger traffic volume in 2019 was 1.7 million and is projected to be at .7 million this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, they expect traffic volume at the airport to hit 3.2 million in 2030, 4.3 million in 2040, 5 million in 2050 and 5.9 million in 2060, Jamonir said.
Udenna proposes to expand the BSIA runway from 2,002 meters to 2,500 meters, the apron from 25,300 square meters to 46,910 square meters, passenger terminal from 6,187 square meters to 16,407 square meters, car parking from 12,000 square meters to 26,910 square meters and cargo terminal from 1,912 square meters to 5,419 square meters, he said.
The aim is to improve passenger experience, increase international traffic and intensify local and national coordination to address logistics, connectivity and security, that will boost tourism and create jobs, Jamonir said.
Dennis Uy is the founder and chairman of Udenna Corp., the parent company that has businesses in oil, gas and retail, shipping and logistics, education, food, gaming and tourism, property development and management, infrastructure development, and telecommunications.*