The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) awarded the cargo-handling contract for five
clustered ports in Bohol to the joint venture (JV) of Animas Bros Arrastre Stevedoring
Services, Inc. and Tarsier Arrastre Stevedoring, Inc.
The 15-year contract is worth P967.5 million, excluding taxes.
The PPA Bids and Awards Committee on December 1 recommended awarding the
contract to the JV, the only bidder, which passed post-qualification and was deemed
the highest responsive bidder.
The 15-year concession covers cargo handling, passenger services, roll-on/roll-off
(ro-ro), and other port-related services for the ports in Jagna, Tapal, Ubay, Talibon,
and Getafe. These ports, managed by the PPA Terminal Management Office of
Bohol, handle passengers and ro-ro vessels.
This project marks the second set of clustered ports under the Port Terminal
Management Regulatory Framework (PTMRF) by PPA, but it is the first to be
awarded. The PTMRF, outlined in PPA Administrative Order No. 12-2018,
establishes rules for terminal management contracts, ensuring global standards and
competitive, transparent selection processes.
The Bohol ports cluster falls under Tier 3 of the PTMRF, where the contractor
manages above-ground fixtures and mobile-handling equipment for a 15-year
concession period.
Additionally, PPA Administrative Order No. 03-2023 allows the clustering of port
terminal management at various ports to enhance commercial viability, considering
factors like complementary ports, volume of vessels, cargoes, and passengers.
In addition to the Bohol ports, PPA is also auctioning contracts for two clusters of
ports in Misamis Oriental—Balbagon, Benoni, and Guinsiliban in Camiguin, and
Balingoan and Jasaan in Misamis Oriental.
Under the PTMRF, PPA has bid out 19 ports, mostly under Tier 3, and one under
Tier 2. This year, PPA is also bidding out its first Tier 1 (full concession) port, the
Iloilo Commercial Port Complex. (portcalls.com)