‘Suspicious’ bidding terms for WPS tourism consultant?

Is government’s bidding for a West Philippine Sea tourism plan tailored for a favored contractor? Environmentalists and builders suspect it is, because of eligibility restrictions.

But the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority dispels such doubts. “We just want to ensure that bidders are truly qualified,” says TIEZA chief operating officer Mark Lapid.

Green architects grumble against the Terms of Reference (TOR) for “Consulting Services for the Masterplan of Detailed Engineering Study of West Philippine Sea and Neighboring Islands.”

Foremost among their concerns are qualifications of “key personnel.” “Project Lead” must have or be an:

• Urban planner – “Why not an environment planner with expertise in island development or island tourism?” an architect asks.

• Masters in Urban Design – “What for? There won’t be any urbanization in WPS in the next 100 years,” the architect says.

• Completed two stadium projects – “I know who that is,” an urban planner remarks. “S/he’s very close to the admin. Check online the two stadiums s/he built recently.

“Are they to erect a stadium out there? If so, how will they transport spectators to fill it up?”

• ASEAN-accredited – “Why not Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation?” an environment planner wonders. “There are more islands in APEC than in ASEAN.”

• Portfolio must include a resort or island masterplan with 400-hectare area – “That fits the chosen one,” a civil engineer laments. “WPS may be huge, but its islets don’t add up to 100 hectares.”

• Licensed architect with at least 15 years’ experience in urban, master and site planning, architectural and engineering design – “That again points to the admin crony,” the first architect says. “Why not 25 years – which will disqualify him/her?”

The bidding is for P100 million. Masterplan and detailed engineering design must be completed within 180 days.

“Six months is too short, unless the winner is pre-determined,” explain the four sources. They request anonymity because of dealings with other agencies.

The urban planner says: “Engineering drawings are easy once the masterplan is finalized. But planning is tedious, taking at least a year of research, presentations,