PPA contract to draft feasibility studies for regional ports awarded

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The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has awarded the joint venture of Science and Vision for Technology, Inc. (SVTI) and SyConsult, Inc. the contract for the consultancy services on drawing up feasibility studies and master plans for selected ports.

PPA general manager Atty. Jay Daniel Santiago informed the joint venture of the bidding result in a notice of award dated February 28 and signed by the joint venture’s representative on March 5.

SVTI is a consulting agency that specializes in constructing public and private infrastructure, while SyConsult is a multi-disciplinary engineering and management consulting firm. Both have previously won contracts for PPA’s projects, such as for Davao-Sasa and Batangas ports.

The current project was valued at P23.02 million, but the winning joint venture submitted a project bid of P22.481 million.

The contract covers formulating feasibility studies and master plans for the ports of Aparri, Cagayan; Salomague, Cabugao, Ilocos Norte; Ozamiz, Misamis Occidental (new site); Calapan, Oriental Mindoro (alternate port); Tagbilaran, Bohol; Ormoc, Leyte: Puerto Princesa, Palawan; Tacloban, Leyte; Iligan, Lanao del Norte; and Capinpin (Orion), Bataan.

PPA, in its terms of reference, said the general objective of the packaged feasibility study and master plans is to meet the increasing port services required for the agri-industrial development and tourism enhancement of various regions, and to determine the long-term directions in the development of the selected ports.

The project will also evaluate the technical soundness, operational and economic feasibility, and financial viability of any proposed short-term improvements or expansions at the selected ports.

It will also undertake initial environmental examinations, and recommend a full-blown environmental impact assessment, if and where warranted.

The joint venture is contracted to complete the feasibility study and formulate the master plans within nine months.

Aside from this, SyConsult also won the P24.732 million consultancy contract on a proposed port with an integrated shipyard facility.

PPA, in its terms of reference, noted that the study will identify an ideal site for the construction of a port with integrated shipyard facility, and determine parameters, costs and timelines for the construction of the proposed facility.

PPA noted that the arrival of foreign shipbuilders in the Philippines has propelled the exports of Philippine-made ships in the international market, making the country the fourth largest shipbuilder in the world.

PPA further noted that with the country being an archipelago and the general economy growing consistently, “it is apparent that more goods need shipping and transport every year” and therefore the “local shipbuilding market should correspondingly be increasing.”

PPA,  said this is behind its proposal to develop a port with an integrated shipyard facility.

SyConsult is likewise given nine months to complete its feasibilty study.

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