‘Public market deal not done yet’
It is granted to a proponent based on how it measures up to established guidelines ranging from socio-economic, financial, legal and technical aspects of the project
BAGUIO CITY — No deal has been sealed yet regarding the proposed public market development project, a local government official assured Tuesday.
Baguio City Administrator Bonifacio de la Peña refuted earlier reports that the deal is “as good as done” and said companies from different parts of the country with proven track records in the construction of markets can still participate in the bidding for the P6-billion project through the required “Swiss challenge.”
De la Peña, who heads the city’s Public-Private Partnership for the People–Screening Committee (P4-SC), said the remaining development proponents will still be evaluated and given Original Proponent Status (OPS).
Based on the city’s P4 ordinance, the determination of the OPS is part of the 19-step process in determining the company that will be given the go-signal to push through with the proposed development of the public market, the city administrator explained.
It is granted to a proponent based on how it measures up to established guidelines ranging from socio-economic, financial, legal and technical aspects of the project, he added.
Only SM Prime holdings Inc. and Robinsons Land Corporation remain in the hunt for the status, according to De la Peña.
The official claimed the P4-SC process takes at least eight months to one year from acceptance of unsolicited proposals for the OPS status to be awarded, barring any hitches.
After determination of the OPS, there will be a negotiation as to the terms of reference based on the city’s financial projections and the proposal of the OPS holder. Publication of the agreed terms then follows suit.