6 Chinese firms identified as potential bidders for infra projects
Six Chinese firms have been identified by the government as potential bidders for the P10.9 billion New Centennial Water Source- Kaliwa Dam project and P2.7 billion Chico River Pump Irrigation System, the Department of Finance (DOF) said.
Under the loan agreements with Beijing, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said the Chinese government is allowed to recommend three potential bidders for each project it has agreed to provide funding assistance.
“Under the Chinese protocol, we agreed with the Chinese that for their projects, they will name three candidate bidders,” Dominguez said.
China provided on Sept. 6 a short list of contractors recommended by its Ministry of Commerce. These are the China Energy Engineering Co. Ltd., PowerChina Ltd., and the Consortium of Guangdong Foreign Construction Co. Ltd. and Guangdong Yuantian Engineering Co. Ltd. for the Kaliwa Dam project; and the China CAMC Engineering Co. Ltd., China Geo-Engineering Corp., and Qingdao Municipal Construction Group Co. Ltd. for the Chico River Irrigation System.
Dominguez said the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) are conducting the review on the eligibility and the capacity of the Chinese firms to implement the projects.”
Currently, the NIA and the MWSS are conducting their due diligence and the said Chinese companies are subject to laws, rules and regulations,” Dominguez said.
Dominguez said both agencies are also organizing their respective project management teams to ensure the financing arrangements are done expeditiously and to prevent any delays.
Despite being led by foreign contractors, Dominguez assured the projects would generate more jobs for Filipinos.
“Most likely they will subcontract some of the projects. And besides, our labor rules and regulations limit the number of foreigners that can work in these projects – only those with highly technical and managerial positions – so jobs will be created locally,” he said.
Earlier, Dominguez said the Philippine government is firming up talks with China for the funding of three big-ticket infrastructure projects, including the Kaliwa Dam, Chico Irrigation System and the P151.3 billion North to South Railway South Line spanning Manila to Legaspi City in Bicol.