MNTC bags deal to run SCTEx

THE BASES Conversion and Development Authority is set to award to the Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) the contract for the management, operation and maintenance of the 94-kilometer Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx).

This was after the agency yesterday failed to secure bids from other companies, challenging the offer previously made by MNTC, the BCDA explained in a statement issued Friday.

Under the terms of reference for the price challenge, the agreement will be awarded to MNTC if the government does not receive any counter offer.

“We have observed all the transparency required for this deal and worked hard to preserve the integrity of the process. We are happy to move on and close this deal, proceed to working for the improvement of the service in SCTEx, and serve the public interest,” said Arnel Paciano D. Casanova, BCDA president and chief executive officer. “This just proves that the latest improved offer of MNTC is the best in the market.”

It was in December last year that the BCDA board approved and released the guidelines for the SCTEx price challenge, allowing the bidding for the long-term contract to operate and maintain the toll road.

Interested parties had been required to submit a price higher than the P3.5-billion upfront cash offer—on top of the 50-50 sharing of gross revenue—from MNTC, a firm led by businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan. MNTC then has the right to match the highest bid for the management of the toll road.

At stake were the rights, interest and obligations in the management, operation and maintenance of the four-lane divided expressway that passes through the provinces of Bataan, Pampanga and Tarlac, and which is directly linked to the North Luzon Expressway. The contract will be in the form of a business and operating agreement (BOA) that will cover a period of 28 years, or until 2043.