CLARK FREEPORT – The Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) said yesterday it is hammering out its terms of reference (TOR) for bidding of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) to a long-term operator and maintainer.
SCTEX spokesperson Robert Gervacio said that BCDA wants the private sector to take over the 93-7-kilometer SCTEX, the country’s longest tollway, on long term basis.
“The term period for the operation and maintenance provider is yet to be decided upon, but in all likelihood, it will cover at least 10 years,” Gervacio said.
He said the TOR is being rushed so that bidding for the SCTEX management could be done within this year. He recalled the BCDA had bid out the management of the tollway last year even before the full completion of the tollway this year, but that two of the biddings ended in failure.
This led the BCDA to resort to a “negotiated procurement process” that led to the hiring of the joint venture of First Philippine Holdings Corporation, Egis Road Operation and Tollways Management Corporation as interim operator of the SCTEX for six months, a contract which could be renewed for another six months.
The Subic-Clark segment of the SCTEX was opened to motorists last April 28 while the Clark-Tarlac segment was opened last July 25.
During the opening of the latter, BCDA chairman Narciso Abaya said that his agency collects from the tollway operator all its toll earnings and “we pay them (the operator) a certain fee”, although he did not say how much.
He also said that the operator had been earning an average of P500,000 per day from its operation of the Clark-Subic segment, but noted that this was still below expectations. The toll fee is P2 per kilometer for cars or Class A vehicles.
Gervacio described as “seamless” the travel between Metro Manila and Subic as the North Luzon Expressway connects with the SCTEX is Mabalacat, Pampanga.
“Likewise, motorists can also exit at SCTEX interchanges in Dinalupihan, Bataan, in Mabalalcat, Pampanga and in the municipalities of Concepcion, San Miguel and Tarlac City in Tarlac,” Gervacio noted.
He noted that from the NLEX exit in Mabalacat, it would only take some 40 minutes to reach Subic Bay and some 25 minutes reach Tarlac City.
“Travelling the entire 94-km stretch from Tipo in Subic to Tarlac City or vice versa would be approximately one hour cutting travel time by more than half,” he added.
He said “Motorists will find it more convenient to use the SCTEX on their way to the Central and Northern Luzon especially Bataan, Subic Bay, Zambales, Pangasinan, Baguio, La Union, Cabanatuan and Ilocos saving on time and fuel”.
“SCTEX now serves as the new economic backbone for Central Luzon and the adjoining regions, creating wider opportunities for investment, trade and employment,” he added.
