“The DoTC’s (Department of Transportation and Communications) Pre-qualification, Bids and Awards Committee is inviting local and international companies to an open, fair and transparent two-stage bidding process for the Project,” the agency said in an invitation to bid published in newspapers yesterday.

The planned 19-kilometer railway will connect Bacoor and Dasmariñas and is expected to serve 45% of Cavite’s population.

Around 200,000 commuters are expected to ride the line daily.

“In accordance with the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016, the Government of the Philippines is implementing the LRT 6 Project with the main objectives to improve transport mobility of residents, to promote regional economic development and to enhance social equality of residents along the corridors of Cavite and Manila,” the invitation read.

Seven stations will be built along the railway that will run along Aguinaldo Highway: Niyog near the planned Niyog LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension Station, Tirona, Imus Transport Terminal, Daang Hari, Salitran, Congressional Avenue and Governor’s Drive.

The PPP contract covers the architectural, detailed engineering, system design and construction of the railway as well as procurement, testing and commissioning of all required rolling stock, equipment and support infrastructure.

The winning bidder will also be in charge of operations, maintenance and enhancement work.

The auction process will have two stages, meaning interested parties will first be pre-qualified in terms of legal, technical, and financial capabilities, and those that pass will be invited to submit technical and financial bids.

Bid documents can be bought from Dec. 28 to March 4 for P1 million.

The deadline for submission of pre-qualification documents is on March 4. The bidding timetable will be released the same day, PPP Center Executive Director Cosette V. Canilao said in a text message yesterday.

INTEREST
Asked if San Miguel Corp. is interested to join the bidding, the conglomerate’s president and chief operating officer, Ramon S. Ang said in a mobile phone reply: “Yes, will join.”

In a separate text message, Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) President and Chief Executive Officer Jose Ma. K. Lim said: “We confirm MPIC’s interest to participate in the bidding.”

Ayala Corp. Managing Director John Eric T. Francia said separately via text: “We will look into it.”

Twelve contracts cumulatively worth P217.4 billion have been awarded since the infrastructure flagship was launched in the third quarter of 2010.