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TO AVOID
being covered by the election ban on government
projects, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has begun
awarding the second tranche of its big-ticket projects
to winning bidders.
According to PPA data, the agency awarded a
P396.12-million contract for the construction of
vessel’s backup area and a new wharf for the Cagayan de
Oro Port to a joint venture firm formed by UKC Builders,
Inc. and Equi-Parco Construction Co.
For
smaller projects, or those which do not involve major
facilities, the PPA has also given the go signal to
HG-III Construction and Development Corp. to commence
the P247.36-million construction of breakwater and
expansion of Port of Lucena in barangay Talao-Talao,
Lucena City. The facility will be upgraded by a joint
venture formed by RR & B Finest Construction and
Development Corp. and J.C. Piñon Construction for P44
million.
A
P33.08-million Cawit port improvement project was also
awarded to MRB Construction and Supply after the
terminal was damaged by a typhoon last year.
However,
the PPA still has to award a P200-million project for
the construction of a structure that will handle
passengers and bulk cargo. The bidding was only opened
early this month.
Since
last month, PPA has been awarding contracts to various
companies to immediately begin construction, all of
which are expected to be completed within two years.
The port
agency also gave a P382.58-million Zambaonga Port
expansion project to J.E. Manalo & Co. Inc., the
P380.8-million Surigao Port expansion to Marra Builders
Inc., the P320.55-million Iloilo Container Port Complex
wharf extension project to F.F. Cruz and Company, Inc.,
and the P398.5-million Davao Port expansion to Sunwest
Construction and Development Corp.
All of
these terminals, which are seen to be on a par with
international standards, were opened for bidding last
October.
For
major ports in
Manila, the country’s shipping hub, PPA has started deliberation
for the contract extension of Asian Terminals Inc.,
which currently manages the
South
Harbor.
Earlier,
PPA general manager Oscar M. Sevilla earlier said that
Malacanang has approved the 25-year contract extension
of the International Container Terminals Services Inc.
for the management of the Manila International Container
Terminal, the country’s largest.
According to the PPA’s 2006 corporate plan, the agency
is expected to spend the bulk of its capital
expenditures in infrastructure development while other
funds will go to its computerization program, which has
yet to take off.
The
planned port upgrades form part of President Arroyo’s
order to make all the country’s terminals Roll-On,
Roll-Off capable.
Aside
from internally generated funds, the country’s port
regulator is also tapping various sources of money, such
as selling bonds to the local market this year. |
