Bidding opens for rehab of 4 major river basins

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has opened the bidding for a P17-million contract for consultants that will draw up master plans for the development and rehabilitation of four major river basins.

DENR Administrative Services Director Ramon Ezpeleta, also vice chair of the department’s bids and awards committee (BAC), has called for tenders for the contract.

Applicants have until the end of August to submit eligibility documents, after which the BAC will choose three qualified bidders.

A winning bid will entitle the consulting firm to a contract for the formulation of a master plan, called “Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan,” for each of the four river basins, under the supervision of the DENR’s River Basin Control Office (RBCO).

The four river basins covered by the contract are Marikina, with an approved budget of P4.5 million; Iloilo-Batiano, P3.6 million; Cagayan de Oro, P3.6 million, and Abra, P5.4 million. The entire contract has an approved budget of P17.1 million.

Degraded over years

The preparation of the master plan is a requirement set by the RBCO, the lead government agency for the integrated planning, management, rehabilitation and development of the country’s river basins, which have been degraded over the years through exploitation and deforestation, among other destructive economic activities.

The RBCO is tasked with the development and management of projects involving river basins intended to protect the environment and people against floods and natural disasters.

The Philippines has 421 river basins, 20 of which are considered major. “These basins are considered the lifeblood and driver of the Philippine economy, thus (they) need to be managed sustainably,” the RBCO says on its website.

‘Pass or fail’

Applications for eligibility will be evaluated based on nondiscretionary “pass-or-fail” criteria in accordance with governmental procurement laws, according to a memo from Ezpeleta that calls for tenders.

To qualify, Ezpeleta said applicants must meet the criteria and rating system, as follows: applicable experience of the firm (60 percent), job capacity (20 percent), and qualification of officers (20 percent).

The bidding is restricted to consultancies with at least 60-percent interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to Filipino citizens.

The contract will be completed within 18 months, Ezpeleta said.