MANILA, Philippines - The government’s plan to upgrade the country’s military facilities for territorial security is moving forward as the Department of National Defense (DND) has declared the winning bidders for projects to improve bases in Palawan and Tawi-Tawi.
The STAR learned that the Luzviminda Engineering Construction (LEC) bagged the project for Pag-Asa Island, one of the areas occupied by the Philippines in the disputed Spratlys region.
The project involves the delivery of construction materials and equipment for base support works that will allow ships and other military assets to enter the area.
LEC, a company based in San Juan City, offered to undertake the project for P155.88 million, well within the approved budget of P173 million.
The DND issued the notice of award for the project last May.
Meanwhile, Davao-based firm Vicente T. Lao Construction (VTLC) won the bidding for the basing search and rescue project, which seeks to enhance the country’s disaster response capabilities.
The project is supposed to improve facilities at the Antonio Bautista Airbase in Puerto Princesa, Palawan and in Sanga-Sanga in Tawi-Tawi.
VTLC submitted a bid of P146 million, well within the approved budget of P149 million. The DND issued the notice of award to Vicente Lao last April.
The two firms were also the lowest bidders for another project to upgrade facilities in Oyster Bay, an area facing West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
The DND, however, has yet to declare them as winning bidders due to a case filed before the Supreme Court.
The P313-million upgrade project will be bankrolled by the Malampaya funds, the release of which has been stopped by the high court.
VTLC offered P209.637 million for the Oyster Bay project, lower than the approved budget of P236.637 million.
Meanwhile, LEC offered to build the Oyster Bay support facilities for P73.595 million, well within the approved budget of P76.49 million.