DPWH prequalifies Malaysian firm for CALAX project

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has prequalified another bidder for the P35.4-billion Cavite–Laguna expressway (Calax) project after beating the deadline for the submission of clarifications on its construction and design experience requirements.

DPWH assistant secretary Eugenio Pipo Jr. said Malaysia’s Alloy MTD Philippines qualified for the project after submitting documents for the construction experience requirement.

Pipo said Alloy MTD was given three days from Nov. 4 to submit the clarificatory document to be able to join the bidding. “Alloy MTD is now qualified and has been cleared by the agency to join the bidding,” he told The STAR.

This brought to four the number of groups vying for the 47-kilometer closed-system tolled expressway that would connect the South Luzon expressway (SLEX) and the Manila Cavite Tollroad expressway (Cavitex).

Last Nov. 4, the DPWH prequalified three groups including the Ayala-led Team “Orion”, MPCALA Holdings Inc. of infrastructure conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp., and Optimal Infrastructure Development Inc. of diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp.

Pipo said the agency would hold one-on-one meetings with the pre-qualified bidders on Nov. 25 to 29 and Dec. 9 to 13.

He pointed out that bid submission for the project is scheduled on Jan. 20.

The four-lane expressway starting from the Cavitex in Kawit, Cavite and end at the SLEX-Mamplasan Interchange in Biñan, Laguna would have a concession period 35 years including design and construction of four years.