MANILA — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has rejected the offer of Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. (AEV) to take over the operations and maintenance of the New Bohol International Airport (Panglao) and three other regional airports in the country.

The firm’s infrastructure arm Aboitiz Infra Capital (AIC) has submitted a PHP148 billion unsolicited proposal for the upgrade, expansion, operation and maintenance of the Panglao airport, Iloilo International Airport and Bacolod-Silay Airport, Laguindingan Airport.

“AIC has received an official response from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) stating that the Department has adopted a policy to publicly solicit bids for the operations, maintenance, improvement, and expansion of all airports under its jurisdiction, and therefore cannot accept the proposal,” AEV said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange Tuesday.

“While AIC believes its proposal is a very efficient solution to address the immediate need of the airports in the most expedient and comprehensive way, we understand the DOTr’s decision to take a different course,” it added.

The AIC remains committed to support the government in its efforts to develop infrastructure particularly in the aviation sector.

“We look forward to receiving the final details of the upcoming tender and will continue supporting the development of the regional airports,” AEV said.

Aboitiz InfraCapital is part of the super consortium of seven of the biggest conglomerates in the country which submitted a PHP350-billion unsolicited proposal to rehabilitate the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. (PNA)