18 firms eye Nichols Loop, other BCDA properties

MANILA, Philippines - About 18 firms have expressed interest to develop three properties to be auctioned by the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) this year, an official said.

Dean Santiago, BCDA vice president for business development and operations, said in a text message late Friday that three firms have shown interest to develop the 5,005-square meter (sqm) driving range lot as well as the 5,389-sqm Nichols Loop in Pasay City valued at P89.59 million.

The Nichols property can be utilized for institutional purposes like putting up a school, hospital or a government office.

Santiago said that for the 3,099-sqm Eastgate parking facility in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig City, five firms have indicated interest to develop the property.

The Eastgate parking facility, valued at P122.41 million, can be developed for institutional use.

Santiago said 10 firms, meanwhile, have shown willingness to develop the 1,224-sqm Sampaguita East Ramp lot in Fort Bonifacio.

The Sampaguita lot, priced at P28.76 million, can be developed as a residential, commercial and institutional area.

Santiago said the names of the firms could not be disclosed yet as it is uncertain which companies will participate in the bidding for the properties.

“They bought the terms of reference. We don’t know how many of them will submit the offer,” he said.

The deadline for the submission and opening of bids for the Nichols property is on Aug. 22, while bids for the Eastgate parking facility will be opened on Aug. 23.

Bids for the Sampaguita property, meanwhile, will have to be given to the BCDA and opened on Aug. 24.

Apart from the three properties, the BCDA is planning to bid out a 1,000-sqm property in BGC in the third quarter of this year.

Aileen Anunciacion Zosa, BCDA executive vice president, said last month the 1,000-sqm property is located beside the Everest Academy and can be developed for institutional use.

The BCDA, she also said, has yet to finalize the valuation of the property.

BCDA president Arnel Paciano Casanova said earlier the government-owned corporation also has plans of bidding out bigger properties in BGC this year.

He said the bigger properties, also referred to as crown jewels, will be up for bidding after the plan is approved by the Office of the President.

He said the BCDA expects to receive approximately P12 billion from the crown jewels.