OUTGOING House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo confirmed Friday, June 28, that the privatization of the Bacolod-Silay Airport is in the works.

Arroyo, who arrived for her sentimental journey before retiring from politics, confirmed that Udenna Infrastructure Corporation has submitted an unsolicited proposal for the expansion of the airport runway, including the operation and maintenance of the airport.

Udenna Infrastructure is owned by Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy.

A foreign company is reportedly contesting the unsolicited proposal.

Arroyo said the unsolicited proposal will undergo a Swiss challenge.

The proposals have been submitted to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

The Bacolod-Silay Airport was one of the five regional airports under a bundled public-private partnership structure prior to a policy shift from the Department of Transportation.

The airport was one of the major projects of Arroyo during her presidency.