MANILA - The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is working on proposals for the development of more regional airports in the country, including the Bohol-Panglao International Airport, Iloilo International Airport, and Davao International Airport. In a Palace press briefing Monday, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the Bohol-Panglao International Airport concession contract may be awarded within the year if Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. (AIC), the lone proponent for the project so far, faces no opposition. 'Iyong end noong Swiss challenge niya (The end of the Swiss challenge) will be on Nov. 11. So malaman natin (So by then, we will know). If there will be a challenger, medyo magtatagal iyong award natin (we may take a longer time before awarding the contract). But if there will be no challenger, posible na (it is possible that) we can award this, before the end of the year,' Bautista said. Should AIC secure the Bohol airport deal, it would be its third major airport project, following the signing of concession agreement for the PHP12.75-billion contract to operate and maintain the Laguindingan International Airport on Monday in Malacañang. AIC is also the operator of Mactan-Cebu International Airport. Bautista also bared that they are eyeing to privatize the Iloilo International Airport and Davao International Airport. For the Iloilo airport, the Transportation chief said they are already 'working closely with a possible concessionaire.' 'In fact, natapos na iyong aming negotiation 'no (we just concluded our negotiation), and we will just need to get NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority) approval for this project,' he said. As for the Davao airport, the busiest gateway in Mindanao, Bautista said they are working for a possible solicited public-private partnership (PPP). 'In fact, a few weeks ago, we signed a transaction advisory services agreement with International Finance Corporation for them to assist us in preparing the terms of reference for the privatization of the Davao Inter national Airport,' Bautista bared. The DOTr is also working with the PPP Center for the privatization and operation, maintenance and operation of the Kalibo International Airport, he said. Additionally, the agency is in coordination with the Asian Development Bank for privatization of possible 'seven to 15 more airports in the country.' Source: Philippines News Agency