3 city hall workers get Covid; market dev’t deal postponed

By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUIO CITY -- The city government’s public-private partnership for the people initiative election committee was due to be “conferred” Wednesday the original proponent status (OPS) either to SM Prime Holdings or Robinsons Land Corporation for redevelopment of the city market.

City administrator engineer Bonifacio Dela Pena bared this was postponed due to closure of the city hall to the public on August 5 and 6  after three city hall personnel tested positive for Covid-19.

During the city council’s last regular session, Dela Pena, also P4-SC chairperson, said conferring the OPS to a proponent does not seal the deal as it is only the first stage in evaluating unsolicited proposals for the city government’s infrastructure projects. 

Dela Pena said only SM Prime Holdings and Robinsons Land Corp. qualified among three applicants for the market rehabilitation project during the pre-selection stage.

The Baguio Market Vendors Association, the third applicant failed to complete requirements leading to their disqualification for the OPS, Dela Pena added.

The original proponent and the city government will negotiate on the terms and conditions for the project with regard to its technical and financial aspects.

               The negotiation stage will be carried out for one and a half month, Dela Pena added.

“Sa stage na ito, maririnig ang boses ng both parties. Kapag hindi nagkatugma ang gusto ng both parties, the project is considered a failure. We will no longer carry on with it,” Dela Pena said.  

“Pero kapag ang gusto natin at gusto nila ay nagkatugma, gagawa na tayo ng terms of reference at actual plan which will be subjected to the third stage,”

                During the third, the P4 selection committee will invite other proponents to submit their proposals challenging the proposal of the original proponent.

The OPS holder, however, can still match the offer of the best challenger. 

Dela Pena revealed there are 15 private firms signifying their intention to participate in the third stage. 

Meanwhile, lawyer Zosimo Abratique, president of the Baguio Market Vendors Association, said the association is not giving up on its goal to be the sole developer of the city market. 

“We are willing to go through the process until the final awarding of the project,” Abratique said.

Asked why the association is “highly desirous” in the market’s redevelopment, Abratique said the association aims to preserve the identity and integrity of the city market.

“We feel that if some multinational firm comes in, what we will have is an additional mall,” Abratique said.