PPA awards P273 million Camiguin ports deal

MANILA, Philippines — A Camiguin-based cargo handler has bagged the contract to operate and maintain three ports in Mindanao for P273 million, marking another success in the efforts of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to privatize some of its facilities.

In a notice of award from the PPA, Balbagon Arrastre Stevedoring and Porterage Services Inc. (BASPS) won the concession to run the ports of Balbagon, Benoni, and Guinsiliban, all of which are located in Camiguin.

BASPS secured the contract for the operations and maintenance of the three ports after tendering a bid of P272.5 million, exclusive of all taxes.

The notice, dated Jan. 12, requires BASPS to enter into a contract with the PPA within 30 days. Likewise, BASPS has to pay the performance security mandated by the government, or else the award may be terminated by the PPA.

Based on the minutes of bidding, BASPS indicated the lone interest and submitted the only offer to take over the operations and maintenance of the Camiguin ports.

In the invitation to bid for the project, the PPA said the contractor would be tasked to handle both the passenger and cargo segments of the ports.

With the award, BASPS will manage the berthside operations, stevedoring services, passenger terminals, cargo schedules, among others, in the facilities.

Prior to landing the contract, the company worked with the PPA as the cargo handler in the Port of Balbagon.

The Ports of Balbagon, Benoni, and Guinsiliban welcome rolling cargoes and RoRo vessels on a scheduled basis. The Port of Balbagon, on its own, also docks passenger ships that offer trips to the Port of Jagna in Bohol.

Meanwhile, the PPA also issued a notice of award to MRBII Construction Corp. for submitting the lowest bid of P543.39 million to improve the Port of Jose Panganiban in Camarines Norte.  Once the contract is signed, MRBII will be given a maximum of 660 days to deliver the project.

Right now, the PPA is in the process of privatizing multiple ports in the regions, aligned with the Marcos administration’s push to turn over select transport assets to the private sector.