10 firms vie for proposed service areas along SCTEx

Ten firms have expressed interest to bid for the long-term lease and development of two separate lots along the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx), according to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

BCDA president Arnel Paciano D. Casanova identified these companies as SeaOil Phils. Inc., Inbound Pacific Freeport Inc., Manila North Tollways Corp., Sta. Maria Industrial Park Corp., FLG Management, Santeh Feeds Corp., Phoenix Petroleum Phils. Inc., Facilities Inc., Klean Fuel Auto LPG Refillers and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp.

According to Casanova, the 10 companies have purchased the terms of reference for the lease and development of the Concepcion and Macangcung Service Areas along the 94-kilometer toll road.

“We are happy with the initial outcome of the public bidding process with 10 firms expressing interest in developing the lots. This just shows the attractiveness of the location for service areas, considering the increased traffic along the SCTEx,” Casanova said in a statement issued yesterday.

Casanova earlier said the winning bidders would have to put up the prescribed facilities and amenities of a service area, including a gasoline station, rest rooms, sufficient and adequate parking slots, emergency first aid station, potable water and lighting system, emergency vehicle repair shop and convenience stores.

Interested bidders could opt to bid for both lots or just one, the lease term for each will be 25 years, renewable for another 25 years upon mutual agreement between the BCDA and the winning bidder.

Nena D. Radoc, chair of the BCDA asset disposition program committee, said the deadline for the submission of bids was set for Sept. 10 at 12:00 noon.

The minimum acceptable starting annual fixed lease for each service area is P2.24 million (inclusive of value added tax) effective only on the second year, considering a grace period of one year, and will be subject to an annual escalation of 5 percent.

“The rent will start on the day of actual operations or at the end of the one-year grace period, whichever comes first,” Radoc said.

Radoc added that  starting on the fifth year of the lease, the lease amount should be the higher of either the fixed lease, as adjusted based on the yearly 5 percent escalation rate, or the share in the revenues of the lessee from its operations and sub-lessees’ revenues, equivalent to 2.5 percent of net sales plus 0.15 percent share of net sales of petroleum products and lubricants.