DOTC to bid out consultancy services for LRT 2 extension

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is to bid out a P350-million contract for the consultancy services for the civil works of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) line 2 east extension project worth P9.7 billion to Masinag in Pasig City.

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya said in a press conference that the contract would involve the detailed engineering design and construction supervision for the project.

Abaya said interested parties should submit their eligibility documents on or before Jan. 7 next year.

The bids and awards committee (BAC) would reduce the number of bidders to not more than five.

The committee is limiting the bidders to Filipino citizens or sole proprietorships, partnerships or organizations with at least 60 percent interest owned by Filipinos.

Abaya said the bidding will be conducted through an open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionaly “pass/fail” criteria as specified in the revised implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Act.

The project was approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) last July. It would make travel from Rizal province to Manila easier and faster.

The LRT-2 east extension plan entails the extension of the existing 13.8-kilometer LRT-2 from Recto to Santolan. The proponent would put up a 4.14-kilometer extension eastward from the existing Santolan station at Marcos Highway, terminating at the intersection of Marcos Highway and Sumulong Highway.

Two additional stations will be constructed including the Emerald Station in front of Robinson’s Place Metro East in Cainta Rizal and the Masinag Station at the Masinag Junction in Antipolo City

The proposed financing for the project is through government appropriation and official development assistance (ODA) loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Abaya said the project would increase the capacity of the LRT-2 to 240,000 passengers per day from about 130,000 passengers at present.