DOTC defers bid submission for LRT 2 project

The Department of Transportation and Communications deferred the submission of qualification documents for the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 2 operation and maintenance project.

According to a Nov. 7 general bid bulletin, the submission of qualification documents for the public-private partnership (PPP) project is moved to Dec. 15, 2014, "in order to give prospective bidders ample time to prepare their qualification documents."

The original deadline is on Nov. 20, 2014.

"Prospective bidders who fulfill the qualification requirements shall be shortlisted as pre-qualifed bidders, who shall subsequently be invited and allowed to submit bid proposals for the project," according to DOTC.

An indicative schedule of DOTC shows that bid submission will be on May or June next year while the issuance of notice of award will be on June or July 2015.

According to the PPP Center website, the prospective bidders of the project are San Miguel Corp., GT Capital Holdings Inc., Marubeni Philippines Corp. and Ayala Corp.-Metro Pacific Investments Corp.

The project involves operation and maintenance of the existing 13.8-kilometer LRT Line 2 and other further extension that may be implemented by the government during the project's term.

About 200,000 passengers everyday ride LRT Line 2, which traverses cities of  Manila, San Juan, Quezon City, Marikina and Pasig, according to DOTC.

"The extension of the line to Masinag, Antipolo City is anticipated to further increase the ridership of LRT Line 2," it added.

DOTC said the planned 4.19-kilometer Masinag extension will have two additional stations along the corridor. — Kathryn Mae Tubadeza /LBG, GMA News