THE first phase of the Sasa Modernization Project, which would cost about P2 billion, will soon be up for bidding, said an executive of Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII).
On March 20, the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Davao Region announced that the modernization project of the Sasa is back as one of the Public-Private Partnership projects (PPP).
According to Neda Davao Regional Director Maria Lourdes Lim, the updating of the terms of reference comes before the actual bidding of the project.
When asked if the private companies that were pre-qualified the first time Sasa modernization was under PPP will be considered in this bidding, she said it will still depend on the results of the terms of reference that the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
Companies that were pre-qualified to bid the first time include the Asian Terminals Inc. – DP World FZE Consortium; Bollore Africa Logistics; International Container Terminal Services Inc.; Portek International Pte. Ltd – National Marine Corp. Consortium; and San Miguel Holdings Corp. – APM Terminals Management (Sinapore) Pte. Ltd. Consortium.
On the sidelines of the Habi at Kape press conference last week, April 11, DCCCII president Arturo Milan said the bidding for the first phase of the modernization project will be within the year. The improvement and modernization of the terminals will be included in the first phase of the project. The entire modernization project, which was first announced by Lim to cost around P6 billion, will take three phases to be completed.
Milan said it will be followed by the second phase of the development which would cost around P3.6 billion. This phase will involve the expansion of the berthing spaces seaward to about 60 meters. It will also include the gantry cranes as well. The third phase will involve the improvement of the parameters of the port.
Lim also said the modernization project will also include the installment of more competitive facilities that will provide efficient and convenient services for domestic and international shipping transactions.
The first time that the Sasa Modernization Project was under PPP, it was scrapped by PPA due to cost and partnership parameters. However, it was the Department of Transportation (DOTr) that intended to revisit the project and bring it back under PPP.