Major infra, healthcare firms eye PH Orthopedic Center

MANILA, Philippines – The Public Private Partnership (PPP) Center disclosed that the project to modernize the Philippine Orthopedic Center (MPOC) drew the interest of nine firms. 

In a statement on Monday, January 28, the PPP Center said the 9 bidders “include big names in the infrastructure and health care industry.”

Once the bidding for the modernization of the Philippine Orthopedic Center is completed, this will be the 3rd project that the national government will bid out since the PPP Initiative was launched in 2010. 

The other two projects are the DaangHari-SLEX Link Road, which was won by Ayala Corporation, and the PPP for School Infrastructure Project – Phase I, which was won by the consortiums of Citicore Holdings Investment, Inc.-Megawide Construction Corp., Inc. and BF Corp.-Riverbanks Development Corporation. 

Department of Health Undersecretary Ted Herbosa said the poorest are expected to benefit the most from the MPOC project.  

“Most of the poor go to government-run health facilities in their time of need and they deserve no less than the best care from these public facilities,” he said.

The project will upgrade the 68-year old Philippine Orthopedic Center. The winning bidder is tasked to design, construct, finance, equip, operate, maintain and transfer the revitalized POC to the DOH who will continue its operations.

Under the contract agreement, which is good for 25 years, the winning bidder is also required to reserve 420 beds exclusively for Philhealth-sponsored patients under the ‘no balance billing’ scheme and 70 beds for indigent patients. – Rappler.com