The government inter-agency task force group on Marawi City rehabilitation announced on Thursday, May 24, that the Swiss challenge period for proposals has been rescheduled for next week, “May 30 or 31.”
Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chair Eduardo del Rosario said on May 15 that the Swiss challenge period was set to on “May 26.”
In a press briefing by the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) in Marawi City on Thursday morning, Mr. del Rosario said it has been rescheduled for “May 30 or 31” while the groundbreaking is expected to happen on “June 21 at the earliest.”
Mr. del Rosario also clarified that the two Chinese firms, China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) and China Geo Engineering Corporation, blacklisted by the World Bank are eligible for the Swiss challenge.
He explained the blacklisting of the said firms has been lifted. “It’s not active anymore. They are legitimate. They are not blacklisted.”
The said firms were “blacklisted over alleged collusion in the bidding of some projects. I assure there will be no collusion in our bidding,” Mr. del Rosario added.
Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr., for his part, said the rehabilitation of Marawi City “remains a government project.”
“We are not completely giving this up to the private sector,” the spokesman added. — Arjay L. Balinbin

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