The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is poised to award before the end of the Duterte administration contracts for the unsolicited proposals for the development and modernization of ports in Davao, Iloilo and General Santos.
The offers are from Chelsea Logistics and Infrastructure Holdings Corp. for the Davao Sasa Port, P11.2 billion; , International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) for the Iloilo Port, P8.7-billion and; Davao-based Kudos Trucking Corp. for the Gensan project.
All three proposals are pending with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) for approval, said Jay Santiago, PPA general manager.
Santiago said PPA submitted additional information to NEDA two weeks ago and is waiting for its feedback following the document review.
“We are in continuous communication with NEDA for additional documents and additional requirements that they are requiring. So far, we have completed our submission,” Santiago said in a virtual press briefing.
Chelsea has proposed to modernize the Davao Sasa Port in five phases, initially targeting to complete phases 1 and 2 in 2021 and 2023, respectively.
The project aims to deliver, among others, port capacity expansion, flow improvement of waterborne commerce and inter-island seaborne commerce and foreign trades, as well as streamlining, enhancement and optimization of port maintenance and operations.
The project will also promote regional development through the dispersal of industries and commercial activities throughout the region.
ICTSI plans to upgrade two ports in Iloilo – the Iloilo commercial port and Dumangas Port — as one proposal as it aims to make Iloilo a major regional transshipment hub for the Visayas. – Myla Iglesias
