SCTEX bidders failed

MNTC, Northlink fail in Sctex bid

THE Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) and Northlink Toll Management Inc., the two remaining firms that submitted bids for the management of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx), have failed to meet the hurdles set by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) in the bidding’s terms of reference (TOR).

The BCDA, however, is still not declaring a failure of bidding as it gave the two companies a few days to submit their respective appeals, BCDA vice president Aileen Zosa said.

Northlink, an incorporated joint venture between San Miguel Corp. and Star Tollways Corp., was declared ineligible by the BCDA after it failed to comply with the technical requirements set in the TOR.

Northlink was given up to January 29 to file its protest.

MNTC, a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., on the other hand, was declared eligible after the technical phase.

Its financial bid was opened on January 25 in front of representatives from both MNTC and Northlink, members of BCDA’s Asset Disposition Program committee and a representative from the Commission on Audit.

However, the BCDA declared the financial bid of MNTC as “failed/noncomplying,” since it fell short of the minimum requirements as set in the TOR. MNTC still has up to February 1 to make an appeal.

“Both bidders were given a period of time to file their respective request for reconsideration and/or a protest as provided for under the TOR. Thus, the BCDA has not declared a failure of bidding,” Zosa said.

In a statement, the MNTC, the concessionaire and builder of the 93-kilometer North Luzon Expressway, said it is still considering its options.

But Rodrigo Franco, MNTC president and CEO, said having MNTC operate and maintain the SCTEx would facilitate its integration with Nlex, giving motorists greater benefits.

“MNTC will redesign and reconfigure certain toll plazas and the toll- collection systems to achieve full integration of the two expressways. Customers will discover an even more pleasurable and convenient travel experience,” he said.

Six firms originally expressed interest in operating and maintaining the SCTEx by purchasing the TOR, but only MNTC and Northlink proceeded with the bidding.