Interaksyon, 27 December 2013
By: Darwin Amojelar
MANILA – The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is bidding out a multibillion-peso integrated terminal system in the south of Metro Manila.
In an invitation to bid, the DOTC is seeking bids to finance, design, construct, operate and maintain the P2.5 billion Integrated Transport System Project – Southwest Terminal for 35 years.
The auction is open to both local and foreign groups, provided they have local or international experience within the last 10 years in completing the development of one or more eligible projects with a cumulative cost of P2 billion or with a cumulative capacity of at least 300 parking bays for land surface vehicles with four or more wheels, excluding rail service.
The ITS-Southwest project aims to provide a central transport terminal where all modes of transport will be available in one location.
“This terminal will ensure effective interconnection between different transport modes and services and thus ensure efficient and seamless travel for the commuting public,” DOTC said.
One of the terminals to be established will be located at the southwestern part of Metro Manila, near the Manila-Cavite Expressway.
To be built on a 2.9-hectare are, the Southwest Terminal will connect passengers coming from Cavite to other urban transport systems, such as city buses, taxis and other public utility vehicles that serve the inner Metro Manila, as well as the future Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT 1) South Extension, which DOTC is also bidding out.
The ITS-Southwest project will include a passenger terminal building, arrival and departure bays, public information systems, ticketing and baggage handling facilities and park-ride facilities.
DOTC said it will use a single-stage process for soliciting bids, as provided in the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law. Interested parties may submit all qualification documents and bid proposals on or before May 15.
