6 groups eye Poro Pt

MANILA, Philippines - Six firms have expressed interest in the crafting of the master development plan for the 146-hectare Poro Point Freeport Zone (PPFZ) in La Union, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said.

BCDA president and chief executive officer Arnel Paciano Casanova said the six firms that submitted their respective documents are the Joint Venture of U.P. Planades & Philippine Jac. Inc.; Schema Konsult, Inc.; Joint Venture of CPRM Consultants, Inc. & Transport & Traffic Planners, Inc.; Joint Venture of Filipinas Dravo Corp. & Key Engineers, Co.; Philipps Technical Consultants Corp.; and Palafox Associates.

The BCDA’s Bid and Awards Committee is currently evaluating the documents to determine which firms are eligible to move to the second phase of the bidding.

The second phase of the bidding involves the submission of technical and financial proposals.

Dean Santiago, BCDA vice president for business development and operations said in a telephone interview the firms qualified for the next phase of the project will be given notices on March 6.

“The deadline for them (to submit technical and financial proposals) is this month,” he said.

Casanova said the primary objective of the project is to have a master development plan that is marketable, viable and effective.

The implementation of the master development plan, he added, is expected to spur economic growth in the PPFZ.

The PPFZ has surrounding recreation and resort facilities and is located close to the San Fernando Airport as well as the seaport.

“The airport and seaport make PPFZ an ideal tourist and business destination in Northern Luzon where passengers and goods can be transported by  the convenience of air and sea travel aside from by land,” Casanova said.

Earlier, the BCDA said its subsidiary, the Poro Point Management Corp., is looking at pushing for the improvement and upgrade of the San Fernando Airport, as well as the development of a terminal shopping mall.

These projects will also be included in the master development plan for PPFZ.