Napocor to bid out coal contracts

State-owned National Power Corp. (Napocor) will bid out at least two coal supply contracts worth about $21.45 million (P1.09) billion on May 7 and 23 this year.

Elisa Dayao, Napocor’s corporate fuel management department head, said they will be conducting an electronic bidding for the coal supply requirement of Masinloc coal power plant located in Zambales on May 23.

The bidding for Masinloc will involve six panamax shipments of 65,000 metric tons (MT) totaling 390,000 MT with an estimate value of $11.7 million.

Dayao said this particular bidding would cover for the coal supply requirement of Masinloc coal-fired power plant for September 2002 up to February 2003.

She said they would also be bidding out the coal supply requirement of Sual power plant in Pangasinan on May 7 this year.

The bidding for Sual, on the other hand, will involve five panamax of 65,000 MT totaling to 325,000 MT valued at $9.75 million. This bidding will cover for coal requirement of Sual for the period August 2002 up to January 2003.

Meanwhile, Napocor is tightening its security over its pier and wharf facilities all over the country amidst reports that these are being used for various illegal smuggling activities.

Napocor OIC-president and chief executive officer Roland S. Quilala said that they have been receiving intelligence information that unscrupulous elements are using them as entry points for contraband cargo.

According to Napocor insider, some of the pier facilities of the state-run power firm in Masinloc in Zambales, Pagbilao in Quezon and Toledo in Cebu are now being closely monitored for being one of the hottest entry points for smuggled products such as corn, rice and "Maling" (canned luncheon meat).

Napocor’s pier, wharf, jetly facilities should not be used for cargo or activities other than those of or for the company’s use only," he said.

Quilala said they are regularly receiving its bulk requirements of petroleum fuels and coal thru these facilities which are exclusive for Napocor’s use.

The Napocor OIC-president instructed the power company‘s personnel to immediately report to the nearest Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Customs any attempt or suspicious activity to unload or transship any commodity other than bulk petroleum fuels or coal.