Air Force earmarks P16M for C-295 engine parts

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Air Force on Wednesday said it is allocating almost P16.2 million to acquire spare parts for the power plant of one of its aircraft.

The Air Force is acquiring the powerplant spares to guarantee it they will have sufficient parts for the maintenance and repair of the brand-new EADS CASA C-295 medium-lift cargo aircraft.

In a statement posted on the the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PHILGEPS) website, PAF bidding and awards committee chair Major Gen. Isagani Silva said the pre-bid conference set on September 3 at 9 a.m.

The pre-bid conference will be open to all interested parties who purchased bidding documents.

The event will be held at the PAF Procurement Center Conference Room, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City where the bid opening will also be held on September 17.

"All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-Bidding Conference/s, Evaluation of Bids, Post-Qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations," Silva said.

The Air Force's first C-295 aircraft in service was commissioned last March 31 joining three Lockheed C-130 "Hercules" heavy transport planes.

The Air Force said there are two more C-295 scheduled to be delivered within the year.

The Philippine contract of three C-295 worth P5.29 billion was signed last year.

The C-295 is capable of carrying 71 passengers, 50 paratroops, 2 stretchers with five to seven attendants or up to about 20,000 pounds of cargoes as it is categorized as medium-lift aircraft.