MANILA, Philippines — A total of nine international and two local companies, bidding as seven different joint ventures and sole bidders, are vying for three contract packages under the P284-billion PNR Clark Phase 2 (Malolos-Clark) project, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
The nine participating foreign firms are Acciona of Spain, Italian-Thai Development Public Co. Ltd. of Thailand, Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Corp. of Japan, Daelim, Dong Ah Construction, and Hyundai Engineering & Construction of Korea, and PT Pembangunan Perumahan, PT Waskita Karya Tbk, and PT Wijaya Karya Tbk of Indonesia.
The two local companies that joined were Megawide Construction Corp. and EEI Corp.
Philippine National Railways (PNR) general manager Junn Magno said the high turnout of bidders demonstrates the international infrastructure industry’s support for the Build Build Build program of the Duterte administration.
Magno said it is also a sign of the companies’ trust in the transparent, fair and corruption-free bidding process implemented by the DOTr and PNR.
“We are very happy with the turnout of bidders for PNR Clark Phase 2. This vibrant participation from international and local companies is proof that they trust this government and the processes we institute. This is indeed a vote of confidence that we are doing things the right way, and soon, our countrymen will reap the benefits through improved mobility and connectivity,” Magno said.
Package 1 covers civil works for 17 kilometers of PNR Clark Phase 2 including Calumpit and Apalit Stations. Package 2 covers civil works for 16 kilometers including San Fernando Station, and Package 3 for 12 kilometers encompassing Angeles and Clark Stations.
The DOTr said bid evaluation is ongoing and the winning bidder would be announced soon.
PNR Clark Phase 2, which forms part of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project, is a 53-kilometer rail line from Malolos, Bulacan to Clark, Pampanga which will feature the country’s first airport express railway service.
Once completed, it will allow commuters to reach the Clark International Airport from Buendia in Makati in just 55 minutes, compared to two hours by private vehicle via expressway.
PNR Clark Phase 2 is also seen to accommodate 340,000 passengers in its opening in 2022.
The DOTr said more contract packages are scheduled for bid submission and publication in the coming months for the massive NSCR project which spans 147 kilometers and 37 stations.
The P777.55-billion rail network project is co-financed by the Asian Development Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
The DOTr said bid submissions for Package 4 (eight kilometers with Clark International Airport Station) and Package 5 (Clark Depot) are slated on Oct 14.
The start of bidding for 304 commuter train cars, 56 airport express train cars and electromechanical systems will be undertaken in the fourth quarter.
Meanwhile, the agency said bid submission for PNR Calamba Package 1 (one kilometer with Blumentritt Station) is set on Nov. 5.