TWO entities are set to counter the approved Public-Private Partnership for the People (P4) selection committee of the Baguio City Government recommending the proposal of Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) for the development of the city public market.
City Administrator Bonifacio dela Peña said the recommendation of the P4 for the prequalification of the proposal of RLC does not mean that the project has already been awarded to said corporation, as the terms may still be negotiated before reaching a final deal proponent do not translate to award of the contract.
After the prequalification, the original proponent status of RLC will be opened, to allow other companies to challenge the offer.
But the P4 nod is not yet final.
On the strength of its more comprehensive offer, SM Prime Holdings, which also submitted its market development proposal to the P4, plans to challenge RLC's offer.
Representatives of the firm said they have submitted complete documents supporting its proposal, which includes a long-term commitment beneficial to the city if their offer would be selected.
In its proposal, SM Prime offered to lease the public market for 50 year. It plans to build a seven-story structure. The first two floors will accommodate the current market vendors, two basement parking; and three more floors -- two will operate as a mall and the topmost floor will be a green space.
Aside from SM, the group of market vendors also plans to challenge the offer of RLC. The Baguio Market Vendors Association (BMVA) was supposed to be the third party in the selection of market developer, but it was disqualified for lacking documents proving it is a juridical entity.
Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan said he is not surprised with the vote favoring RLC over SM Prime Holdings Incorporated to develop the city public market.
Olowan said the 5-2-1 (yes-no-absent) vote was expected as Ronbinsons has a better offer over its rival with P144 million for the city annually against the "paltry" P42 million that the city could get annually as lease.
With Robinsons, added Olowan, the city has a better control over the new facility which is one of the landmarks that define the "Old baguio."
"I'm not surprised with the result with two buildings for Robinsons against one for SM. From the beginning, the city will (have) control (over the running of the facility). SM (design may look better but city will have only two floors," Olowan added.
"But then the process is not yet over, dadaan pa sa butas ng karayum (it will still pass the needle's eye) (Since) that will be tackled in the negotiations," said Olowan. (VoxPop Baguio)