DPWH extends deadline for Lakeshore project

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is looking at extending by at least two months the deadline for the submission of prequalification documents for the P123-billion Laguna Lakeshore expressway dike project to give bidders more time to form competitive groups.

DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson said on the sidelines of the Investors Forum for the largest public private partnership (PPP) project of the Aquino administration that the agency is set to extend the Oct. 16 deadline for the submission of prequalification documents.

 “It is a complex project. It’s not a straightforward reclamation or a straightforward toll road. It is very clear that the Oct. 16 is not a realistic schedule and we are looking now at between 60 and 90 days (extension),” he said.

Singson said the agency is open to giving interested companies more time to form a viable consortium that could handle the huge capital outlay for the project.

 “This is just to be able to get more qualified members in the consortium. We are willing to give them more time to put together the members of the consortium,” he said.

The DOTC chief explained that the group to be formed should adhere to the Constitutional provision of 60-40 ownership in favor of Filipino citizens since the project also involves a toll road as well as the ownership of land.

 “We are even open to the possibility of titling the land to a special purpose vehicle created by the consortium, because of the land ownership,” he said.

According to Singson, the bidders could create an entity that would be the recipient of the land and a separate entity to operate the toll road if the consortium does not comply with the 60-40 ownership rule.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board chaired by President Aquino approved the project last June 19. It aims to mitigate flooding in the Laguna Lake coastal towns, particularly in Southern Metro Manila and Laguna, improve the environmental condition of the Lake, and promote economic activities through the efficient transport of goods and people.

The project would likewise provide opportunities for developing a new business and residential district in the reclaimed areas.