DPWH invites bidders for P5.48 billion Boracay bridge project

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has formally started the Swiss challenge process for the P5.48-billion unsolicited proposal of conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) to build a bridge linking Boracay to the Panay mainland in Malay, Aklan.

The announcement was made after the DPWH published a notice on Jan. 31 on their official website calling for a proposal under “comparative bidding process” for a project to finance, design, construct, operate and maintain a 2.54-kilometer Boracay bridge infrastructure under a 30-year concession.

The proposal will seek to compete with the unsolicited proposal submitted by SMC’s San Miguel Holdings Corp. (SMHC), to build a Boracay bridge connecting the island tourist mecca to the main Panay Island.

The SMHC’s unsolicited proposal has been approved after evaluation using the provisions of Republic Act No. 11966 or the Public-Private Partnership Code of the Philippines (PPP Code) and its implementing rules and regulations.

“A Single-Stage Bidding for the Project will be conducted in accordance with the procurement rules and procedures applicable for unsolicited proposals set out in Republic Act No. 11966, An Act Providing for the Public-Private Partnership Code of the Philippines, and its implementing rules and regulations (IRR),” the DPWH said.

“In the event that a comparative proponent submits a financial proposal better than that submitted by the Original Proponent, the latter shall have the ‘right-to-match’ such price proposal within 30 calendar days in accordance with the Instruction to Comparative Challengers and Section 98 of the PPP Code IRR,” the DPWH elaborated.

Challengers are required to pay a non-refundable fee of P500,000 to the DPWH “without prejudice to the submission of all documentary and other requirements,” the DPWH said.

Challengers are also given 240 calendar days to submit their comparative proposals from the first day of issuance of comparative challenge documents.

The DPWH said that instructions to comparative proponents and other relevant qualification and tender documents will be available starting Feb. 20, 2025, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the office of the DPWH Pre-qualification, Bids and Awards Committee secretariat at the 3rd floor of the DPWH central office in Manila.

SMC earlier gave assurance that the proposed bridge was not meant to cater to vehicular through-traffic that could cause congestion in Boracay island, but to address the movement of commuters, solid waste, goods and supplies.

The project, the company said, aims to facilitate provision of a public transport access system, transport of solid waste and cargo through authorized trucks, as well as carriage of power, telecommunication, water supply and sewer utility lines.

Once constructed, the project is seen to manage the environmental carrying capacity of Boracay island and free it from pressures due to overcrowding and overuse of existing facilities, which produces adverse environmental impact.

On the part of DPWH, in their notice call for comparative proposals, the agency said the project was expected to open up a new all-weather access for vehicles and pedestrians to and from Boracay island and Panay island, thereby encouraging people to consider alternative accommodations and activity centers on the Panay mainland.