Poro Point San Fernando Airport secures PPP funding

The state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said the development of the Poro Point  San Fernando Airport  at the Poro Point Freeport Zone in San Fernando, La Union into an international gateway is now among the projects under the government’s public-private-partnership (PPP) program.

BCDA President and CEO Arnel Paciano D. Casanova said the Project Development and Monitoring Facility (PDMF) Board of the PPP Center  has approved funding support for the engagement of Transaction Advisory Services (TAS) for the development of the  said airport.   

“We are confident in the expertise of the PPP Center to take the lead in bidding out the development of the  Poro Point  San Fernando Airport,” Casanova said adding that “with the project under the PPP Center, the development of the airport will be fast-tracked.”

Casanova said the proposed project shall have two components, namely, the upgrading of the airport facilities to meet the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requirements for  safety and to serve larger aircrafts for international flights; and the construction of airport terminal with commercial complex.

He said the PPP Center is now preparing the necessary documentation for the procurement of the TAS or consultant to do the feasibility study, prepare bid documents, and assist in the bidding process until the financial closure of the project with the private developer/investor.

He noted that the project development phase is an important first step as it will define the parameters for the next phase which is the design and construction phase. The construction phase is seen to start by the middle of 2015.

According to Casanova, the development of the Poro Point San Fernando Airport is envisioned to establish it as a regional airport that can also accommodate direct international flights, serving as gateway to La Union, Baguio and other tourist spots within the region. It is also aimed at providing link with and complementing the operations of the Clark International Airport.

“An airport terminal shopping mall will be constructed similar to Changi Airport of Singapore, but much smaller in scale,” Casanova said.

He added that  the development of the airport will include, among others,  development works such as removal of obstructions such as hills, trees, transmission lines; provision of  air navigation system; and the  construction of a new terminal building, fire stub taxiway and new apron.