-
The Philippine Ports Authority is seeking bidders to manage a cluster of five ports in Bohol
-
The 15-year contract for the ports of Jagna, Tapal, Ubay, Talibon and Getafe covers cargo-handling, passenger, roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro), passenger, and other port-related services
-
The minimum concession fee for the project is P929.573 million, with a minimum concession fee of P43.08 million for the first year of the contract
-
Deadline for bid submissions and bid openings is set for November 6
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is seeking bidders to manage five clustered ports in Bohol for a minimum concession fee of P929.573 million.
The 15-year concession contract for the ports of Jagna, Tapal, Ubay, Talibon and Getafe covers cargo-handling, passenger, roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro), passenger and other port-related services.
This is the second set of clustered ports PPA is bidding out under its Port Terminal Management Regulatory Framework (PTMRF), the first being a cluster of three ports in Camiguin in Misamis Oriental.
RELATED READ: PPA seeks operators for Misamis Oriental ports
The five Bohol ports are under the jurisdiction of the PPA Terminal Management Office of Bohol and handle passengers and Ro-Ro vessels.
RELATED READ: 7 ports in Bohol for simultaneous inauguration
The PPA has outlined a comprehensive scope for the Bohol port cluster project, including berthside operations, stevedoring services, passenger terminal management, porterage services, Ro-Ro cargo services, storage management, waste and shore facility management, weighbridge facility operation, and ancillary and related services.
The contract’s minimum concession fee for the first year is P43.08 million.
A pre-bid conference for the project will be held on October 20. The deadline for bid submissions and bid openings is set for November 6.
Under PPA Administrative Order (AO) No. 03-2023, the clustering of port terminal management at several ports may be included to ensure the commercial viability of the contractor. The clustering of ports for bidding will be within the same port management office and shall take into consideration the complementary ports/terminal sub-ports, as well as the volume of vessels, cargoes, and passengers.
PPA general manager Jay Daniel Santiago emphasized the clustering of ports is intended to bring stability to terminal markets in specific areas and provide flexibility in managing vessel traffic, especially during queuing situations. He clarified that this approach is not meant to foster anti-competitive behavior but rather to ensure consistent and uniform development for all.
Bidders for the project must have at least two years of experience in providing port terminal/cargo-handling services or other related port services, as indicated in completed and ongoing contracts.
Also, prospective bidders must not be engaged in any business activity, whether primarily or otherwise, that will prevent them from properly and sufficiently discharging their contractual obligations. This prohibition covers entities engaged in maritime transportation.
The bidding process will adhere to the open competitive procedures outlined in PPA Administrative Order (AO) No. 12-2018, as amended, using non-discretionary pass/fail criteria. This AO provides guidelines for selecting and awarding contracts under PPA’s PTMRF, ensuring global standards are met, and promoting competitive and transparent selection of port terminal management contracts.
The guidelines aim to ensure port services will meet global standards and that the selection of port terminal management contracts is competitive and transparent.
The PTMRF, established under AO 03-2016, aims to enhance port services by encouraging private sector participation. It categorizes port investments into three tiers, making it easier to determine investment arrangements.
The Bohol ports cluster project falls under Tier 3, where the contractor manages above-ground fixtures and mobile-handling equipment for a 15-year concession period. – Roumina Pablo
