DOTC gives P2.5-B bus terminal bidders another month

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is giving a one-month extension for the submission of prequalification bid documents for Metro Manila’s first integrated transport terminal.

Transportation Undersecretary Jose Perpetuo Lotilla said bidders for the P2.5-billion Integrated Transport System-Southwest Terminal projects were given 30 more days to prepare their documents.

“In view of the changes in the project structure and in order to provide ample time to all prospective bidders to prepare their submissions, the deadline of submission of bids shall be set 30 days from the confirmation of the Special Bids and Awards Committee that the final set of tender documents has been uploaded in the data room,” Lotilla said.

The deadline for the submission of bids has been moved to Sept. 29. It was originally scheduled on Aug. 3.

“Upon the confirmation, the deadline of submission of bids set on Sept. 29 shall be moved accordingly through a subsequent bid bulletin,” he said.

Meanwhile, the DOTC is still identifying the final site for the ITS-North Terminal. It is now looking at the Seedling Bank at the corner of Quezon Ave. and EDSA as well as the property of the National Housing Authority (NHA) near the Trinoma Mall.

The P7.7-billion ITS project was one of the seven major infrastructure projects worth P184.2 billion approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

The project involves the establishment of three mass transportation intermodal terminals at the outskirts of Metro Manila. This would maximize road usage by reducing vehicle volume and eliminating provincial bus traffic to improve traffic flow along Metro Manila’s major thoroughfares particularly EDSA.