DPWH extends CCLEX deadline

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has extended by another week the deadline for the submission of prequalification documents for the proposed P15-billion Central Luzon link expressway (CLLEX) connecting Tarlac to Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija.

DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson said the deadline was extended to enable the DPWH to respond to additional clarification or queries raised by prospective contractors or bidders.

In a bid bulletin, the DPWH said it has deferred the deadline for the submission of prequalification documents to Feb 9 instead of Feb. 2.

“This is to preclude any issue that may arise later during the procurement process. We have to address all the issues or concerns being raised, otherwise, these may again be the causes of the delay in project implementation,” Singson said.

The submission of prequalification documents for the first phase of CLLEX scheduled last Jan. 19 was called off due to the scheduled visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines and rescheduled to Feb. 2.

Some contractors and bidders have requested that they be given ample time to secure or acquire necessary documents from the country of origin due to the long Christmas holidays.

The first phase of the CLLEX project worth P14.9 billion would cover a 30.7-kilometer four-lane expressway stretching from Tarlac to Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija while the second phase worth P14.2 billion covers the construction and operation as well as maintenance (O&M) of a 23-kilometer two-lane expressway from Cabanatuan City to San Jose City also in Nueva Ecija under the public private partnership (PPP) scheme.

CLLEX forms an important lateral (east-west) link of overall High Standard Highway network within the 200-kilometer radius from Metro Manila.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) would fund the construction of the 66.4-kilometer CLLEX while operation and maintenance would be under the PPP scheme.

The proposed expressway would start at the end of the 94-kilometer Subic Clark Tarlac expressway (SCTEX) up to 88.85-km Tarlac – Pangasinan – La Union expressway (TPLEX).  – With Evelyn Macairan