PSALM seeks consultant for Malaya plant sale

THE Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) was looking for a consultant to assist in selling the 650-megawatt (MW) Malaya Thermal Power Plant in Pililia town, Rizal province.

The state-run firm opened the bidding table for the P8.6-million contract for consulting services for the facility’s privatization. Bids lower than the contract price were rejected.

Interested consultants were required to submit their eligibility documents on or before August 24 at the PSALM’s office in Diliman, Quezon City.

This was open to all prospective entities, local or foreign, subject to the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 9184, or the Government Procurement Reform Act.

They can bid, provided they are duly licensed Filipino citizens or sole proprietorships; partnerships or corporations duly organized under Philippine laws and of which at least 60 percent of the interest belongs to a Filipino citizen or firm; cooperatives; or persons/entities forming themselves into a joint venture in which Filipino ownership or interest should be at least 60 percent.

The bids and awards committee (BAC) will come up with the short list of consultants based on submissions using these criteria: qualification of key personnel who will be assigned to the project (60 percent) and applicable experience of the company and its associates and affiliates (40 percent).

PSALM’s move came after President and Chief Executive Officer Irene Joy Garcia told reporters on the sidelines of the Joint Congressional Power Commission hearing on August 8 that the corporation would bundle the land in the privatization of the Malaya thermal facility to maximize the property’s value.

The Malaya facility was designated in 2014 as a must-run unit by the Department of Energy (DoE). It is compelled to run and provide electricity when necessary to ensure the reliability of power supply in the Luzon grid.

In 1995, it was rehabilitated by Korea Electric Power Corp. under a 15-year rehabilitateoperate-manage-maintain agreement.