2 more firms vying for P2.5B PPP deal for south Metro transport hub

MANILA, Philippines—Two more companies, including the developer of the upscale Versailles community in Alabang, have expressed interest in participating in a public-private partnership deal for a P2.5-billion public transportation hub in southern Metro Manila.

A bid bulletin published Wednesday by the Department of Transportation and Communications showed that State Properties Corp. and Expedition Construction Corp. have acquired bid documents. They are joining nine other groups, including some of the country’s biggest conglomerates, that earlier secured bid documents.

The transportation department said in the bulletin that it would hold the second round of one-on-one discussions with the 11 bidders from March 17 to March 20. The bid submission has been set for May 15.

State Properties is the developer of the 75-hectare subdivision in Alabang called Versailles, information on its website showed.

The PPP project, formally known as the Integrated Transport System Project-Southwest Terminal, aims to provide a central hub where all modes of transportation will be available under one roof.

It will be located at a 2.9-hectare property and will connect passengers coming from Cavite to urban transportation vehicles like the Light Rail Transit Line 1, public buses, jeeps and taxis.

The other groups that acquired bid documents were the Ayala Group, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., D.M. Wenceslao and Associates, San Miguel Corp., Vicente T. Lao Construction, Egis Projects SA., Robinsons Land Corp., Filinvest Land Inc., and Megawide Construction Corp.

The terminal will also include a passenger terminal building, arrival and departure bays, public information systems, ticketing and baggage handling facilities and park-ride facilities.

“This terminal will ensure effective interconnection between different transport modes and services and thus ensure efficient and seamless travel for the commuting public,” the DOTC said in its invitation published earlier.