THE Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) yesterday declared a failure of bidding for the North Harbor, saying the process will only push through if there are at least two eligible bidders.
Only Harbour Centre Port Terminals, Inc. (HCPTI) together with joint venture partner Metro Pacific Investment Corp. (MPIC) was pre qualified to bid for the port’s 25-year management and operation contract.
Asian Terminals, Inc. (ATI) was declared ineligible after submitting a special power of attorney instead of the required waiver from legal suits.
“We should have competing bids to lower (shipping) rates and we can’t have that now as ATI, the other potential bidder, has been declared ineligible due to lack of requirements,” PPA general manager Atty. Oscar Sevilla said after the PPA Board meeting.
In the interest of fairness, the PPA chief said the HCPTI-MPIC joint venture has been assured of a slot in the eligible bidders’list when PPA resumes the bidding process later in the year.
Sevilla said the terms of reference for the North Harbor privatization will be revised to require at least two bidders.
Special Bids and Awards Committee chair Leopoldo Bungubung said he would reconvene the committee any day now to revise the schedule of bidding.
The second invitation to bid will be sent out within the month, he added.
Bungubung said he expects Magsaysay Maritime Corp, Pier 8 Arrastre and Stevedoring Services and Prudential Customs Brokerage to again submit their bids.
“If we can restart the process immediately, then we could still see a new North Harbor concessionaire by end of the year,” he added.
To be auctioned off are the port’s container terminal, general cargo terminal and passenger terminal complex, which will be considered as one operational area.
