The Philippine government’s biggest public-private partnership (PPP) project—the P171-billion North-South Railway Project (NSRP)—has attracted five prospective bidders, according to the Public Private Partnership Centre.
The groups that purchased the project’s prequalification documents are San Miguel Holdings Corporation; Metro Pacific Investment Corporation; AC Infrastructure Holdings Corporation; IL&FS Transport Networks Limited; and Fluor Daniel Pacific Inc.
Submission of qualification documents is scheduled on March 31, according to a special bid bulletin released on January 22 by the Department of Transportation and Communications.
The winning bidder will design, construct, install, commission, finance, operate, and maintain the existing commuter rail line from Tutuban, Manila to Calamba City, Laguna. It is also expected to do the same for the 478km long-haul rail operations from Tutuban to Legazpi City with the possible spur lines extension of 58km from Calamba City to Batangas City and 117km from Legazpi City to Matnog, Sorsogon.
The PPP project is part of government efforts to promote inclusive growth by reviving and extending the existing Philippine National Railways line. The project is also a priority under the 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan, and supports the modernization and expansion of local mass transportation network; and aims to improve efficiency of land transportation in Metro Manila.
According to the PPP Centre, 14 PPP projects worth US$12.36 billion are under procurement as of February 1, while 12 projects have already been awarded, three of which have been completed — the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway, Automatic Fare Collection System, and PPP for School Infrastructure Project Phase I.
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