‘Resolve bidding issues on Panay-Guimaras-Negros bridge to avoid delay’

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson called on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to resolve the issues over the bidding process of the Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) bridge project to avoid delay.

“The bidding process should be above board and hence it is important to address the issue raised,” Lacson told PNV Media today.

The governor was reacting to the reported possibility of further delay in the proposed 32.47-kilometer Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) bridge project.

The PGN project will link Panay, Guimaras and Negros islands through the construction of two sea-crossing bridges spanning a total 32.47 kilometers.

“I hope this controversy will be successfully resolved,” Lacson said.

Various quarters, including South Korean joint venture Sambo Engineering, have forwarded objections against the results of the shortlisting and bid evaluation criteria for the detailed engineering design of the project.

The groups also claim that the feared delay was raised in the ongoing pre-qualification bidding process for the $48 million consulting service contract on the Detailed Engineering Design and Tender Assistance of the PGN.

Suspected bias in the bidding was raised on the reported impending decision of the Bids and Awards Committee for Consulting Services of the DPWH to recommend only one of participating South Korean firms to bid for the contract.

According to several groups, letters were sent to Antonio Molano Jr., chair of the DPWH.

BAC for Consulting Service, the Sambo JV pointed out a number of concerns on the body’s criteria and the terms of reference for the competitive bidding participants.

Sambo JV and Yooshin JV, both from South Korea, were the only two bidders included in the shortlist of competitors although the governments of the Philippines and South Korea have agreed to allow five firms to participate in the bidding.

However, with Sambo JV contemplating withdrawing from the bidding, Yooshin JV is expected to be left alone to pursue the contract.

Such a situation could provide basis for a declaration of failure of bidding as provided under Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Law.

The TOR submitted by the BAC-DPWH contained two highly questionable provisions allegedly designed to favor Yooshin.

Under the TOR the bidder employing a Team Leader with experience in designing a minimum 340-meter cable-stayed bridge will be favored.

Sambo JV decried such provision because during the shortlisting stage, companies were required to submit the qualifications of personnel, thus, the DPWH was already aware where a bidder can enjoy an edge over the other.

The same issue was raised over the preference of the DPWH BAC towards a team leader that had an experience of over six months in the JV he represents.

Reacting to claims by the DPWH-BAC that the Korean Exim Bank had concurred with the shortlisting recommendation, Sambo JV warned that non-reaction should not be misconstrued as concurrence, saying that the financial institution will only comment upon the conclusion of the procurement process.* (Eugene Y. Adiong)