BizBuzz column details clarified

We write in connection with a BizBuzz article titled “PPP’s perfect attendance” (Inquirer, 2/11/13). We wish to correct some items in the story for the benefit of the reading public.

First, the article erred in describing the Harbor Link Project of the Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) as an unsolicited proposal. The Harbor Link Project is not an unsolicited offer. It is in fact part of the Manila North Expressway Project covered by the Supplemental Toll Operation Agreement dated April 30, 1998. This agreement was entered into by the Republic of the Philippines acting through the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), the Philippine National Construction Corp., and MNTC.

Second, we wish to point out that from information we gathered, a representative of the National Economic and Development Authority was also present during the board meeting called by the TRB to discuss MNTC’s Connector Road project.

Finally, the article mentioned that the representatives of the PPP (Public-Private Partnership) office and Department of Finance were especially interested in having the San Miguel-Citra Group sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the MVP Group, when the latter’s project was still subject to a Swiss challenge.

Please note that the MOA will spell out the implementation arrangement for the portion of the “common alignment” between Skyway Stage 3 and the NLEx-SLEx Connector Road, as required by Neda. Whoever wins the Swiss challenge for the Connector Road project will have to respect the agreements reached on the common alignment.

—CHRISTOPHER C. LIZO
chief finance officer
Metro Pacific Tollways Corp.