The deadline for submitting qualification documents for the P17-billion Davao-Sasa Port modernization project has been extended by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to July 29 from June 30, according to a bid bulletin issued by Atty. Perpetuo Lotilla, DOTC undersecretary for legal affairs, and prequalification, bids and awards committee chairman.
The opening of pre-qualification documents will be done immediately after the 2 p.m. deadline on July 29.
Five companies have so far bought bid documents: San Miguel Holdings Corp., Spain-based Óbrascon Huarte Lain S.A., France’s Bolloré S.A., Singapore’s Portek International Pte. Ltd, and Davao International Container Terminal (DICT).
Davao-Sasa, the country’s first seaport project under a public-private partnership scheme, has been assailed by both the private sector and local government units for its high contract cost that exceeds that proposed in a study by the Philippine Ports Authority.
Banana growers, which contribute a high volume of exports from the region, earlier said they have no plans of returning to Davao-Sasa, saying the area around the port is congested with no room for expansion. The growers are now shipping through DICT which is located within major agricultural plantations in Davao del Norte.
Christian Gonzalez, vice president and Asia Pacific head of port operator International Container Terminal Services, Inc (ICTSI), was earlier quoted as saying DOTC is reconsidering the required capital for the Davao-Sasa project based on comments from potential investors.
Gonzalez said ICTSI, which already operates Hijo port in Davao del Norte, may reconsider its earlier decision not to bid for the project if DOTC brings the contract cost down.
The Davao-Sasa project involves modernizing the existing port and establishing dedicated container handling facilities with an initial design capacity of 1,900 container ground slots and an eventual minimum number of 2,700 ground slots.
It also includes constructing a new apron, developing a linear quay, expanding the back-up area, providing container yards and warehouses, and installing container handling equipment through a 30-year concession period. – Roumina Pablo
