Local, int’l firms bid

This is indeed a vote of confidence that we are doing things the right way, and soon, our countrymen will reap the benefits through improved mobility and connectivity

Eleven local and international companies have joined the bidding for the construction of the P283-billion Phase 2 of the Philippine National Railways (PNR), the Department of Transportation (DoTr) said.

In a statement sent to reporters on Wednesday, the DoTr said that there were only two local firms which joined the auction, namely Megawide Construction Corp. and the Yuchengco Group’s EEI Corp.

Meanwhile, the international firms included Acciona S.A. from Spain; Korean firms Dong Ah Construction Industrial Co., Ltd. and Hyundai Engineering and Construction Co., Ltd.; Thailand-based Italian-Thai Development Public Company Ltd.; Indonesia-based PT Pembangunan Perumahan, PT Waskita Karya Tbk, PT Wijaya Karya Tbk; and Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Corp.

The bidding was held on Tuesday.

“We are very happy with the turnout of bidders for PNR Clark Phase 2. This vibrant participation from international and local companies is proof that they trust this government and the processes we institute,” PNR General Manager Junn Magno said.

“This is indeed a vote of confidence that we are doing things the right way, and soon, our countrymen will reap the benefits through improved mobility and connectivity,” he added.

The PNR Phase 2 is a 53-kilometer railway project which is part of the 147-km North-South Commuter Railway funded by the Asian Development Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Construction will be done in packages, the first includes civil works for 17 kms covering Calumpit and Apalit stations; the second, spanning 16 kilometers covering San Fernando station; and the third package, for 12 kms encompassing Angeles and Clark stations.

The DoTr said more contract packages are scheduled for submission, with the Package 4, covering 8 kms with Clark International Airport, and the Package 5, encompassing the Clark depot, slated on 14 October.

Meanwhile, start of bidding for 304 commuter train cars, 56 airport express train cars, and electromechanical systems is scheduled in September through the fourth quarter of 2019.

Bid submission for PNR Calamba Package 1 is scheduled on 5 November.

LARRY PAYAWAL Major makeover up Tourists frequenting the world-renowned Chocolate Hills in Bohol will soon enjoy a much-improved viewing complex which is the subject of a P40 million modernization project.

Proof of confidence Representatives from 11 major companies, both local and foreign, battle it out during the bidding for the Philippine National Railways Phase 2 project worth P283 billion.