Zamboanga Port Passenger Terminal Re-bidding Slated This Year: PPA

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said it hopes to reopen the bidding for the canceled Zamboanga passenger terminal building contract this year. "The passenger terminal building terminated contract is about 52% complete. We have scheduled the rebidding this year," PPA General Manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago told the House Committee on Appropriations last week. Mr. Santiago added that the port regulator is confident of awarding the project by year’s end with completion expected by around 2028. Mr. Santiago said costs may change during the new auction to reflect adjusted material prices. Awarded on Jan. 21, 2021 to MAC Builders, Inc., the contract was terminated in September due to operational concerns, citing design misalignment and prolonged delays. The PPA has said that location-specific challenges and design considerations were also an issue. The PPA has said the completion of the project was also delayed due to the pandemic. Meanwhile, in separate notices, the PPA opened the bidding for the combined P1.75 billion worth of contracts for the development and improvement of three port projects. In an invitation to bid dated Sept. 3, the PPA said it is set to bid out the P859.94-million contract for the development of a new port in Catbalogan, Samar. The PPA said interested bidders can start submitting proposals on Sept. 3, with bid opening scheduled for Sept. 30. The PPA also opened the bidding for the P670.25-million Plaridel Port development in Siain, Quezon; and the P217.74-million Jubang cruise ship port improvement project in Dapa, Surigao del Norte. — Ashley Erika O. Jose