BAGUIO City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the unsolicited proposal from SM and Robinson’s will be evaluated as ongoing market inventory weeds out illegal deals.
Magalong said both SM and Robinson’s proposals have been received and is waiting for two more to be given to the city.
The mayor said the start of the evaluation will begin using the PPP methodology.
“We will choose the best proposal for us,” Magalong added.
Proposals come in the midst of a market inventory of stalls which have been subleased by original leasee to which the city losses at least P200,000 a day.
According to Magalong, leasee are paying a fraction of rent to the city while they go on to sublease stalls by as much as P100,000.
“We are now going to correct it, the market will generate revenue, we will make sure there is adequate space and have a very comfortable market place.”
The city expects to receive more proposals for the multi-billion venture envisioned to transform the public market into one of the best trading centers in the country.
All of these will be evaluated by the city's Public-Private Partnership for the People (P4) selection committee headed by City Budget Officer Leticia Clemente and the technical working group (TWG) on market development led by Councilor Mylen Yaranon to determine the viability of the offers vis-a-vis the city’s requirements.
The mayor earlier said the city will go for a deal that would not require cash investment and one that would ensure the welfare of the roughly 4,000 stallholders at the market.
Magalong said the process will include giving the best proponent a certificate of acceptance and eventually original proponent status before any negotiation will ensue to move on to the crafting of the Terms of Reference.
The proposal may then be challenged by the public.
Magalong is eyeing the start of construction for the market by third quarter of the year and by the year 2022 initial construction has to be completed.
“Looking at the plans, we will have one of the best markets in the country,” Magalong added. (With a report from PR)