THE Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) on Thursday, November 15, disclosed that the consortium of Prime Water Infrastructure Corporation, PAVI and MGS Construction, Inc. and Israel's TAHAL Group submitted the lowest bid for the water and wastewater infrastructure project in New Clark City or NCC.
BCDA senior vice-president/chief finance officer and Nena D. Radoc of the Joint Venture Selection Committee said the consortium submitted the lower bid of P9.45 per cubic meter, besting the P11.00 per cubic meter bid of the Manila Water Company.
This was determined during the opening of technical and financial proposals held at the BCDA Corporate Center in Taguig City earlier this week.
Present during the bid opening were representatives from Commission on Audit (COA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), BCDA's transaction advisor for the project.
The water and wastewater project ensures a safe, affordable and sustainable water source in New Clark City. It incorporates smart components, including advanced metering infrastructure, and high standard wastewater treatment, among other innovations.
Radoc said the PrimeWater consortium would undergo post-qualification process as part of due diligence before the award.
The proposed P9.45 per cubic meter rate shall apply for the water supply only. The same amount shall be charged for wastewater services equating to a total rate of P18.90 per cubic meter for the first five years of the 30-year JV period.
The winning bid for NCC is viewed as highly competitive when compared against rates for cities in the Philippines, Southeast Asia and globally and is expected to attract leading locators to the city. Effective January 1, 2018, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) approved the basic rates of P35.48 per cubic meter and P25.50 per cubic meter for Maynilad and Manila Water, respectively.
BCDA targets to sign the joint venture (JV) agreement with the winning partner by the end of the month.
New Clark City, located within the Clark Special Economic Zone, is envisioned to be the first smart, green, and sustainable metropolis in the country.
Phase 1A, which covers 60 hectares, involves the construction of the National Government Administrative Center (NGAC), including the world-class sports complex to be used for the Philippines' hosting of the Southeast Asian Games in 2019.