ACTION on a number of priority state infrastructure projects lined up for this year will have to wait till next semester, partly upsetting the government’s original time table.
Public Works Secretary Rogelio L. Singson said at the sidelines of ceremonies yesterday marking his department’s 113th anniversary that he expects the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board to approve two more public-private partnership (PPP) projects during its meeting next week, namely: the P1.6-billion Daang Hari-South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) link and the P10.59-billion Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway.
Publication of bid invitations for these projects, as well as for the P21-billion North Luzon Expressway (NLEx)-SLEx link, had originally been targeted for this quarter.
Mr. Singson said the target for publication of bid invitation for the NLEx-SLEx link has been moved to August.
“We are waiting for the final approval of the NEDA Board so that we can advertise [for bids] already. We are now ready for advertisement,” Mr. Singson said in an interview, noting that the body, which is headed by President Benigno S. C. Aquino III, will meet either on June 28 or 29.
“As soon as we get that approval, we will advertise.”
Mr. Singson stressed his department is keen on pushing these projects as fast as possible, saying that a meeting has been set today to “sound [investors] out on the terms of reference.”
“We have invited quite a number, many have signified interest,” he claimed.
So far, only one PPP project has started the bidding process with the publication of the bid invitation last March, namely: the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the Light Rail Transit 1 and Metro Rail Transit 3 (LRT1-MRT3) systems, whose contract is worth about P15 billion.
Forty-five companies have expressed interest in this auction. The opening of bids, however, initially set for July 11, was deferred indefinitely earlier this week in deference to the incoming Transport secretary, Manuel A. “Mar” Roxas II.
The PPP Center under NEDA had earlier set the indicative schedules this year for publication of bid invitations for five other projects, namely: the P4.4-billion Puerto Princesa airport development in September; the P7.6-billion Bohol and P3.2-billion Legaspi airport development projects and the P1.5-million O&M contract for the new Laguindingan airport, all in October, as well as the P10.5-billion Cavite-Laguna Expressway extension in December.
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