Carmela Fonbuena
The warships will be the Philippine military's biggest and most capable
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine defense department is confident it can award the contract for the already delayed 2 brand new frigates worth P18.9 billion early next year.
"We may not be able to open it (final bidding) this year but early next year we will be able to award the contract," said Defense Undersecretary Fernando Manalo in a recent interview.
Manalo said he is confident that the bidding will be successful and the project will not be further delayed. "We have more than enough (bidders) to give us the confidence that it is really a competitive bidding," he said.
Six firms have qualified for the contract: Spanish firm Navantia Sepi (RTR Ventures) and South Korean firms STX Offshore & Shipbuilding; Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co Ltd, and Hyundai Heavy Industries Inc; India's Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd of India And Europe's STX France SA.
Read the full story at Rappler