Port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. is still interested in joining the bidding for the Davao Sasa Port Modernization Project despite the government’s decision to downscale the project, an executive said over the weekend.
“For sure, anything that promotes regional development as long as it is sensible from private sector point of view, we will certainly be interested and definitely participate,” ICTSI senior vice president and MICT head Christian Gonzalez said.
The Transportation Department earlier said the P19-billion Davao Sasa Port Modernization Project that was being pursued under the government’s public private partnership scheme would be downscaled to only P4 billon due to capacity issue.
Transportation Undersecretary for maritime sector Felipe Judan said the original P19-billion project cost of the Davao Sasa project was not “justifiable” because of the small traffic volume.
Judan said the agency was coordinating with the National Economic and Development Authority about the new proposal.
Gonzalez agreed, saying that “the P19 billion [project cost] was not viable.”
“I think now the DOTr and PPA [Philippine Ports Authority] are taking a more pragmatic and more reasonable approach while still not sacrificing the long-term development of the city but we have to remember that ports are serious infrastructure projects and we have to study the competitive environment, the market and all of that before making a firm commitment,” Gonzalez said.
The Transportation Department recently pre-qualified ICTSI along with Asian Terminals Inc., Bollore Africa Logistics, Singapore-based Portek International Pte. Ltd. and San Miguel Corp. for the Davao Sasa Port project.
Sasa Port is actually designed for break bulk cargo vessels, which is vital to the economy of Davao City.
16 October 2016
By Darwin G. Amojelar
