DOTC OKs LRT-2 consulting contract to Korean group

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has tapped a Korean consortium to undertake the consulting and engineering services for the civil works of the P9.7-billion Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 2 East Extension project.

Transportation Undersecretary Jaime Raphael Feliciano issued a notice to proceed to the consortium of Foresight Development and Surveying Co., Soosung Engineering Co. Ltd., and Korea Rail Network Authority.

 â€œIn connection with the implementation for the consulting/engineering services for civil works of the LRT2 East (Masinag) Extension project awarded to your company in the total amount of P240.78 million, you are hereby directed to commence work within seven days from the receipt of this notice,” Feliciano said.

The notice to proceed was issued after Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya approved the awarding of the contract to the Korean group.

The consortium submitted a bid of P240.78 million or more than P100 million lower than the approved budget of P350 million for the project.

The consortium edged the group composed of JF Cancio & Associates in association with Development Engineering & Management Corp., Engineering & Development Corp. of the Philippines, Filipinas Dravo Corp., TCGI Engineers, Urban Integrated Consultants Inc., and Oriental Consultants Co. Ltd.

Other groups that were shortlisted included the consortium of Schema Konsult Inc., Pertconsult International, KE Asia Inc., DCCD Engineering Corp., Key Engineers Co., and Proconsult Inc.; the tandem of Systra Philippines and Philipps Technical Consultants Corp. as well as the joint venture between Science and Vision for Technology Inc. and Yooshin Engineering Corp.

Of the five groups that were prequalified, the group led by Foresight Development only managed to pass the technical proposal requirement.

The groups led by JF Cancio & Associates, Schema Consult as well as the tandem of Systra and Philipps filed a motion for consideration.

This project was originally offered earlier this year, but the DOTC declared a failed bidding last February when only one of the interested parties was able to meet the eligibility requirements of Republic Act 9184 otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act.   

The project was approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) July of last year. It would make travel from Rizal province to Manila easier and faster.

The LRT-2 East Extension plan entails the extension of the existing 13.8-kilometer LRT-2 from Recto to Santolan. The proponent would put up a 4.14-kilometer extension eastward from the existing Santolan Station at Marcos Highway, terminating at the intersection of Marcos Highway and Sumulong Highway.