6 firms join bid for Poro Point Freeport Zone

MANILA, Philippines – The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) announced that 6 companies have submitted eligibility documents for the public bidding to draft a master development plan for the 146-hectare Poro Point Freeport Zone in San Fernando, La Union.

The firms’ submissions came before the February 25 deadline for the bidding of the Master Development Plan of the 146-hectare development.

Arnel Paciano D. Casanova, BCDA’s president and CEO, said that the 6 firms in the running for the Poro Point Freeport Zone (PPFZ) include between

• U.P. Planades and Philippine Jac. Inc. (joint venture)
• CPRM Consultants, Inc. and Transport and Traffic Planners, Inc. (joint venture)
• Filipinas Dravo Corp. and Key Engineers, Company (joint venture) 
• Philipps Technical Consultants Corp.
• Schema Konsult, Inc.
• Palafox Associates

Casanova added that BCDA’s Bid and Awards Committee is evaluating submissions to determine the shortlist for the second phase of the bidding. The second phase will require technical and financial proposals. The project is estimated to cost P8 mllion.

Casanova said that the main objective of the development is the production of a marketable, viable and effective master development plan for the PPFZ. He added that the MDP is expected to spur economic growth at the PPFZ. Casanova said that this is due to nearby recreation and resort facilities and transportation infrastructure such as the San Fernando Airport and Seaport within the freeport.

“The airport and seaport make PPFZ an ideal tourist and business destination in Northern Luzon where passengers and goods can be transported by the convenience of air and sea travel aside from by land,” Casanova said.

He added that the MDP will institute upgrades to the San Fernando Airport. The plan also includes a proposed Terminal Shopping Mall. The MDP will include a feasibility study for developing a Terminal Shopping Mall with shopping dining and entertainment facilities. The mall will be open to the general public.

A conceptual plan will also be developed to merge the infrastructure for the airport terminal and the mall, according to Casanova. – Rappler.com