Ayala no longer pursuing Pasay reclamation project

MANILA, Philippines – Property developer Ayala Land Inc is no longer submitting a proposal to challenge the SM group’s planned bayside reclamation project in Pasay City.

“We regret that we cannot submit a counter proposal,” ALI chief operating officer Bobby Dy said in a letter to Pasay mayor Antonino Calixto dated November 4 – the deadline for the submission of counter offers set by the Pasay government.

In his letter, Dy urged the Pasay mayor to “resolve critical issues” before proceeding with the bidding and awarding of the project.

Pasay invited companies to challenge SM Land Inc’s proposal to reclaim some 300 hectares of Manila Bay at a cost of P54.5 billion.

ALI, which expressed interest, asked the local government to extend the deadline by 60 days. Citing the National Economic and Development Authority’s joint venture guidelines, Pasay thumbed down the company’s request.

But Dy said the city adopted old guidelines for the bidding.

“Assuming that Pasay City validly adopted such guidelines as its bidding rules via an ordinance, we would just like to point out that the said guidelines have been superseded by a 2013 version,” Dy said, noting the 2013 version set a 120-day period for submission of competing proposals.

“Bidders will also undergo a modified competitive challenge which does not give the original proponent the right to match,” he added.

Dy, in the meantime, cited an advertisement by the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) on November 1 that said “no approval has been given for the Pasay reclamation project.”

Quoting PRA’s ad, Dy said a government center project is eyed to be constructed within the same area.

“As the Pasay project would now be in possible conflict with national priority plans, this matter will need to be clarified prior to any bid,” Dy said in his letter.

Rappler is trying to reach PRA for clarification. – Rappler.com