Cavite-to-Laguna expressway bids deadline extended

Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Public Works and Highways has extended for one month the deadline for submission of prequalification bidding documents for the P35-billion Cavite-Laguna Expressway (Calax), one of the infrastructure projects under the government’s Public-Private Partnership program.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson on Tuesday said “extending the deadline from Sept. 23 to Oct. 23 would give potential bidders, including foreign investors, sufficient time to prepare and submit prequalification bidding requirements.”

He noted “the entry of foreign investors will result in more competitive (bidding) strategies and alliances.”

Public Works Undersecretary Rafael Yabut, chair of the agency’s Special Bids and Awards Committee for PPP projects, said “the change of schedule was prompted by the request of prospective bidders for the Calax project.”

“Some foreign companies, unfamiliar with the process and requirements for the authentication of bidding documents, face difficulties in complying with the requirements on the given timeline,” he said.

So far, 18 firms, mostly from the Philippines, have secured prequalification bid documents, according to Elizabeth Pilorin, chief of the DPWH Public Information Division.