Six firms interested in managing SCTEx

MANILA, Philippines -- Six firms have expressed interest in partnering with the Bases Conversion Development Authority for the management, operation and maintenance of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.

In a statement issued Tuesday, BCDA vice president for finance and chair of the asset disposition program committee Victor Zablan said among those that purchased the terms of reference for the bidding and attended the pre-bid conference last week were Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp., Star Tollways Corp., Citra Group through Alvin Bugtas, San Miguel Corp., Amicus Holdings Inc. and IL&FS Transportation Networks Ltd.

Under the terms of reference, he said the lease or concession agreement for the SCTEx would span 33.5 years, or from April 28, 2010, to Oct. 30, 2043.

The winning bidder would be responsible for funding the operational requirements of the country's longest tollway, including its management, operations and maintenance.

The winner would likewise be charged with securing the necessary funds for the conduct of periodic maintenance activities on the tollway; special, major, emergency and other related works, as well as insurance.

BCDA's eventual partner would also be tasked with the provision of management services, toll collection, traffic safety and security management, routine tollroad maintenance including landscaping and greeneries, and other related services.

As BCDA's partner in running the SCTEx, the winning bidder would have to pay the government firm a semi-annual concession fee of either the peso equivalent of BCDA's yen-denominated loan, including all financing charges, 10 years prior to due date, or 20 percent of audited gross revenue, whichever is higher.

The loan payment option should be secured by a five-year rolling letter of credit.

The P27-billion SCTEx was 85-percent funded by a loan from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation/Japan International Cooperation Agency. The 15-percent balance came from BCDA.

Zablan said the deadline for the submission of proposals and eligibility documents is Dec. 4, with the opening of the financial bids scheduled for Dec. 11.

The notice of award to the winning bidder would be issued on Dec. 22 and the notice to proceed on Jan. 27, 2010, he said.

The 94.7-kilometer SCTEx is considered the country's longest and most modern expressway. Traversing the provinces of Bataan, Pampanga and Tarlac, the SCTEx provides a direct link between the Subic Bay Freeport Zone and the Clark Special Economic Zone.

With the SCTEx, travel time from Clark to Subic has been reduced to 40 minutes, and from Clark to Tarlac to just 25 minutes.

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