7 firms show interest in SCTEx service area

MANILA, Philippines - Seven firms have expressed interest in the lease and development of the two-hectare service area along the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx).

In a statement yesterday, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president and chief executive officer Arnel Paciano Casanova said the firms that expressed interest by attending the pre-bid conference for the Macangcung service area held on March 7, were Double Dragon Properties Corp., LBC Express Business Solutions/Development, Manila North Tollways Corp., Northern Star Energy, Northwalk Land Inc., PTT Philippines Corp., and Seaoil Philippines Inc.

“We look forward to the eventual submission of bids by these firms when the BCDA undertakes the public bidding for the SCTEx service area,” he said.

While there have been some firms that expressed interest in the lease and development of the service area, BCDA Asset Disposition Program Committee chair Nena Radoc said other interested firms may still purchase the terms of reference (TOR) for the property as the state-run firm extended the deadline until April 2 from March 7, to allow more firms to participate in the bidding of the property.

Radoc said interested bidders could purchase the TOR for a non-refundable fee of P50,000 at the BCDA Corporate Center in Bonifacio Global City.

The TOR may also be viewed in the BCDA website www.bcda.gov.ph.

The deadline for the submission of the eligibility documents and final proposal by bidders is on April 4, at 12 noon.

The Macangcung service area located at Brgy. Santiago, Concepcion in Tarlac being offered for bidding will be leased for 25 years and renewable for another 25 years.

The BCDA has set the first four years of the lease to be a rent-free period.

The minimum starting annual fixed lease for the property, which would apply on the fifth year of the lease is at P3.5 million inclusive of value-added tax and subject to an annual escalation of five percent.

Upon contract signing, the winning bidder should remit to BCDA a security deposit, equivalent to the winning bid and post a surety bond with a face value of P7 million.

Casanova said the winning bidder would be responsible for the establishment, operation and maintenance of a gasoline station with amenities such as rest rooms, parking slots, emergency First Aid station, potable water and lighting system, emergency vehicle repair shop and convenience stores.