By Jenniffer B. Austria | Nov. 30,
2013 at 12:04am [ manilastandardtoday.com ]
Ayala Land Inc., the biggest property
developer, expressed dismay over the decision of Pasay City to award the
300-hectare reclamation project to SM Land Inc. of retail tycoon Henry Sy,
despite concerns raised against the selection of the private sector proponent.
“It is unfortunate that Pasay City
proceeded with the award despite numerous concerns expressed by various groups,
particularly on the environmental impact of reclamation, and the questions we
raised on the process that it followed,” Ayala Land chief operating officer
Bobby Dy said in a statement.
“A project involving reclamation of
such scale should be subjected to an open, public and competitive bidding,
which encourages transparency,” he said. “Further, it would have been more
prudent for Pasay City to have taken time to study and address critical issues
prior to the award, especially now that various groups have also expressed
concerns on reclamation.”
SM Land in a separate statement
confirmed it received a notice of award and signed a joint venture agreement
with Pasay City.
“We wish to stress that we are
committed to abide by all government laws, regulations and processes,” SM Land
said.
Ayala Land claimed its position was
consistent with Executive Order 146, which required the approval of reclamation
projects by the National Economic and Development Authority. The company said
the order also required such projects to “undergo competitive public bidding
consistent with the government’s thrust to promote transparency and
competitiveness.”
“The 2013 Neda JV [joint venture]
guidelines would have allowed for a higher level of transparency, attracted
more bidders and therefore serve the best interests of Pasay City and the
country,” Dy said.
“Since all reclamation projects will
have to be approved by the Neda, we expect it to follow the said guidelines and
consider the questions we earlier raised on the process. If various issues,
including environmental concerns, are satisfactorily addressed, and an open and
competitive bid is conducted for the project, ALI will participate,” he added.
The Pasay City government in a
statement posted on its Web site said the procedure it followed in selecting a
joint venture partner for the proposed reclamation of 300 hectares of foreshore
lands in the city was legal and above board.
Pasay City legal counsel and bidding
committee vice chairman Severo Madrona reiterated the city’s position that it
followed the appropriate laws and regulations in connection with the
unsolicited proposal of SM Land, adding the offer was subjected to “competitive
or Swiss challenge.”
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