MALOLOS CITY—Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) officials are confident that the lease agreement they will sign with the Manila North Tollways Corporation will not suffer the fate of the Angat River Hydroelectric Power Plant (Arhepp).
They also expressed optimism in the incoming administration of President-elect Benigno Aquino III to further enhance and develop the 94-kilometer Subic–Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).
“Our transactions and negotiations are very transparent,” said retired General Robert Gervacio, the spokesman and programs manager for operational support services of the SCTEX.
He said that legal matters on the bidding for the lease, operation and management of the SCTEX do not worry them as they followed the law and consulted the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC).
“I don’t see any problem, we stick to the law and the recommendation of the OGCC,” he said when asked if there is a possibility that they will suffer the fate of the Arhepp.
The BCDA has awarded to the MNTC the right to enter into the contract to lease, manage, operate and maintain the SCTEX which is considered the longest toll way in the country.
Gervacio added that they are now in the process of negotiating with the MNTC the details of the contract which they expect to sign by the end of September.
Last month, the Supreme Court issued an order preventing government agencies from proceeding with the sale of the Arhepp to a Korean Company.
This came after the Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) submitted a petition before the Supreme Court opposing the bidding noting that Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (Psalm) committed grave abuse of discretion when it conducted a bidding for the Arhepp.
Gervacio also insisted that the BCDA has developed a culture of transparency through its years of operation.
For his part, Benigno Valles, corporate communications manager of the MNTC, said they are also confident that the agreement will be signed soon.
He cited advantages of MNTC managing and operating the SCTEX.
“One operator will mean better and seamless connection between the NLEX and the SCTEX,” said Valles, noting that they have receive complaints in the past from motorist.
One of the common complaints of motorist is the fact that they are being required to pay at toll booths which are just a few meters from each other.
Valles said that they still have to explain to the motorist that NLEX and SCTEX operators are different.
However, with the impending signing of lease agreement between the BCDA and MNTC, Valles said they will come up with new guidelines to address concerns of motorists.
“We expect that it will be a truly seamless connection once we start to operate both toll ways. Dati apat na na hinto ang motorista from Balitawak to Subic, but when we begin to operate SCTEX, dalawang hinto na lang,” he said.
He added that with MNTC as operator of both NLEX and SCTEX, there will only be one standard in service and maintenance.
They also expressed optimism in the incoming administration of President-elect Benigno Aquino III to further enhance and develop the 94-kilometer Subic–Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).
“Our transactions and negotiations are very transparent,” said retired General Robert Gervacio, the spokesman and programs manager for operational support services of the SCTEX.
He said that legal matters on the bidding for the lease, operation and management of the SCTEX do not worry them as they followed the law and consulted the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC).
“I don’t see any problem, we stick to the law and the recommendation of the OGCC,” he said when asked if there is a possibility that they will suffer the fate of the Arhepp.
The BCDA has awarded to the MNTC the right to enter into the contract to lease, manage, operate and maintain the SCTEX which is considered the longest toll way in the country.
Gervacio added that they are now in the process of negotiating with the MNTC the details of the contract which they expect to sign by the end of September.
Last month, the Supreme Court issued an order preventing government agencies from proceeding with the sale of the Arhepp to a Korean Company.
This came after the Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) submitted a petition before the Supreme Court opposing the bidding noting that Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (Psalm) committed grave abuse of discretion when it conducted a bidding for the Arhepp.
Gervacio also insisted that the BCDA has developed a culture of transparency through its years of operation.
For his part, Benigno Valles, corporate communications manager of the MNTC, said they are also confident that the agreement will be signed soon.
He cited advantages of MNTC managing and operating the SCTEX.
“One operator will mean better and seamless connection between the NLEX and the SCTEX,” said Valles, noting that they have receive complaints in the past from motorist.
One of the common complaints of motorist is the fact that they are being required to pay at toll booths which are just a few meters from each other.
Valles said that they still have to explain to the motorist that NLEX and SCTEX operators are different.
However, with the impending signing of lease agreement between the BCDA and MNTC, Valles said they will come up with new guidelines to address concerns of motorists.
“We expect that it will be a truly seamless connection once we start to operate both toll ways. Dati apat na na hinto ang motorista from Balitawak to Subic, but when we begin to operate SCTEX, dalawang hinto na lang,” he said.
He added that with MNTC as operator of both NLEX and SCTEX, there will only be one standard in service and maintenance.
