C01900-2019

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSIONSEC FORM 17-C

CURRENT REPORT UNDER SECTION 17
OF THE SECURITIES REGULATION CODE
AND SRC RULE 17.2(c) THEREUNDER

1. Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
Mar 27, 2019
2. SEC Identification Number
CEO2536
3. BIR Tax Identification No.
003-828-269-V
4. Exact name of issuer as specified in its charter
ABOITIZ EQUITY VENTURES INC.
5. Province, country or other jurisdiction of incorporation
Philippines
6. Industry Classification Code(SEC Use Only)
7. Address of principal office
32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines Postal Code 1634
8. Issuer's telephone number, including area code
(02) 886-2800
9. Former name or former address, if changed since last report
N.A.
10. Securities registered pursuant to Sections 8 and 12 of the SRC or Sections 4 and 8 of the RSA
Title of Each Class Number of Shares of Common Stock Outstanding and Amount of Debt Outstanding
Common Stock P1 Par Value 5,632,792,557
Amount of Debt Outstanding (December 31, 2018) 285,305,308,057.00
11. Indicate the item numbers reported herein
9

The Exchange does not warrant and holds no responsibility for the veracity of the facts and representations contained in all corporate disclosures, including financial reports. All data contained herein are prepared and submitted by the disclosing party to the Exchange, and are disseminated solely for purposes of information. Any questions on the data contained herein should be addressed directly to the Corporate Information Officer of the disclosing party.

Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc.AEV

PSE Disclosure Form 4-31 - Press Release References: SRC Rule 17 (SEC Form 17-C)
Section 4.4 of the Revised Disclosure Rules

Subject of the Disclosure

Aboitiz taps Ireland-based daa International for regional airport bids
Background/Description of the Disclosure

Aboitiz infrastructure business unit Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. has teamed up with Irish airport operations company daa International for the future upgrade, expansion, operations and maintenance (O&M) of the Bohol-Panglao and Laguindingan Airports.

daa International is the global airport operations management subsidiary of Ireland’s Dublin Airport Authority with over 75 years experience in airport management ownership and development. Its principal activities include airport management and development growth, routes development, international travel retail, and associated aviation services.

“We are very excited to be working in the Philippines and in particular, with Aboitiz. Our team strives to build and continually improve successful operations in the airports in which we operate for the benefit of the passenger and client,” daa International said.

“The Philippines represents a new environment with great potential and promise for daa International. It fits perfectly with our model and long term strategy of sharing international and regional airport management and operational expertise. We will be working with Aboitiz in building sustainability and unlocking value for these airports and their surrounding environs,” daa International added.

daa International operates Ireland’s main gateway Dublin Airport which accommodates about 31 million passengers and the award-winning Cork Airport, a regional airport which can accommodate 2.3 million passengers--similar to the Philippines’ own regional airports. In total, over 85 million passengers travel through the company’s airports worldwide including Terminal 5 in Riyadh and several other investments across Europe.

The European operator boasts of an untarnished record in various airport activities from project design, execution and operations to retail. daa International will review and optimize the airports’ O&M plans, define and document processes, train personnel, support the airports’ long-term development, and assist in the implementation of the innovative concepts of “connected” and “green” airports.

“We are pleased to work with the reputable daa International for both the Bohol-Panglao International Airport and Laguindingan Airport. Our robust management and execution track record combined with daa International’s global perspective and technical expertise will ensure the transformation of these two airports into world-class regional gateways that we can truly be proud of,” said Cosette V. Canilao, Aboitiz InfraCapital Chief Operating Officer.

Recently, Aboitiz InfraCapital was granted “original proponent status” for its unsolicited proposals to upgrade, expand, operate, and maintain the Bohol-Panglao International Airport and Laguindingan Airport in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental.

Passenger traffic at Laguindingan Airport has been above the airport’s design capacity of 1.6 million passengers per year from the time the airport began operations in 2013, based on statistics from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). In 2018, an estimated two million passengers passed through this airport.

Meanwhile, the Bohol-Panglao International Airport is bracing for similar congestion level. According to airport consultant ICF, tourism in Bohol has grown at an impressive annual rate of 25.2% from 2011 to 2017, and by 30% from 2016 to 2017, reaching an estimated 1.3 million tourists. Panglao is the most popular tourist destination in Bohol, welcoming 704,000 tourists in 2017.

Aboitiz InfraCapital’s proposed improvements to the Bohol-Panglao International and Laguindingan airports will result in efficient passenger flow within the airport terminals, a better retail and dining experience, and increased flight destinations with reduced congestion at the terminals.
Other Relevant Information

Please see attached Press Release.
Filed on behalf by:
Name Mailene de la Torre
Designation AVP-Governance and Compliance/Assistant Corporate Secretary