BCDA seeks bids for Boni South property

MANILA, Philippines - The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is seeking bids from interested firms for the development of the 33.1-hectare Bonifacio South Pointe in Taguig City.

“The BCDA is inviting interested bidders to apply for eligibility and submit bids for a 55 percent share in an incorporated joint venture (JV) in which the BCDA will hold a 45-percent share. The JV corporation shall own and develop the Bonifacio South Pointe,” the state-run corporation said in a published notice yesterday.

The Bonifacio South Pointe which is located along Lawton Avenue in the vicinity of Bonifacio Global City, is occupied by the Army Support  Command  and  Special  Services  Unit of the Philippine Army, the Bonifacio  Naval Station, and the Philippine Marine Corps of the Philippine Navy.

Earlier this week, Nena Radoc, BCDA vice president and chief finance officer, said the development of the property is not only open to local firms, but to foreign firms as well, provided that they have a local partner.

The BCDA said in the published notice interested firms must have a financial bid of no less than P13.263 billion or $323.499 million.

Other requirements for interested firms are outlined in the terms of reference (TOR) which can be purchased from the BCDA office from Jan. 3 to 16, 2013.

The TOR can be purchased for a non-refundable fee of P500,000 or $12,200.

A pre-bid conference for the property is scheduled on Jan. 17 at the BCDA Corporate Center in Taguig City.

The property is being put to auction after the BCDA put aside the Swiss challenge for the unsolicited proposal of SM Land, Inc. to develop the area.

The bidding for the property is in line with a directive from the Office of the President.

In August 2010, real estate firms were asked to submit proposals to challenge the unsolicited proposal of SM Land for the property but the proceedings were put on hold with a review by Malacanang of the lease and other issues.

Last month, SM Land filed a petition for mandamus with the Supreme Court to proceed with the unsolicited proposal.

BCDA president and chief executive officer Arnel Paciano Casanova said earlier this week that while SM Land has filed a petition with the Supreme Court, the BCDA would pursue the auction of the property.

“We will proceed with the bidding and disposition...In the status quo, there is no legal impediment,” he said.

He also said the pending case with the Supreme Court is not expected to affect the attractiveness of the property.