The Philippine Construction Technology Industry
The World Bank supported $309.5 million Philippines Seismic Risk Reduction and Resilience Project (PSRRRP) is expected to create opportunities for U.S. exporters in the areas of retrofitting vulnerable buildings, emergency response equipment for transport and mobility restoration, rapid response communication and information systems, and mobile emergency operation centers. The Philippine Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will implement this project and it will be largely financed through a $300 million International Bank for Reconstruction and Development loan. The PSRRRP aims to enhance: (1) the safety and seismic resilience of selected public buildings in Metro Manila and (2) the capacity of the DPWH to prepare for and respond to emergencies.
Over the years, the Philippines has suffered from numerous destructive earthquakes because it lies along the “Pacific Ring of Fire” where the majority of the world’s earthquakes and volcanic activities occur. At least 60 percent of the Philippines’ total land area is exposed to multiple hazards (frequent earthquakes, floods, tsunami, landslides, volcanic eruptions, cyclones, and annual monsoons).
According to a Supervising Science and Research Specialist from the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, every region or province in the Philippines is vulnerable to its own Big One (strong and damaging earthquake). Metro Manila, which is the seat of the Philippine government as well as an economic center, is particularly vulnerable as it is transected by numerous earthquake generators. It is also a highly urbanized and densely populated area with about 14 million residents. The strongest earthquake in the Philippines happened in 1976 in Mindanao, the southernmost major island of the country. The 8.0 magnitude earthquake triggered a tsunami and led to massive deaths (5,000-8,000 estimated) and destruction.
The PSRRP project areas for U.S. exporter interests include: (1) retrofitting or replacement or reconstruction of approximately 425 structures in Metro Manila including public school buildings and health centers; (2) procurement of equipment to perform road restoration, clearing and debris removal to restore mobility along damaged roads, collapsed bridges and other transportation infrastructure; and (3) procurement of communication and information management systems for execution of quick response operations and coordination of DPWH emergency response teams. DPWH is currently working on the list of goods and services that will be procured for the project. DPWH will use international competitive bidding procedures as specified in World Bank’s procurement guidelines.
Tenders will be posted at the DPWH (Goods and Services - Advertisements | Department of Public Works and Highways (dpwh.gov.ph) and the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PS-PhilGEPS) websites.
The U.S. Commercial Service Philippines plans to organize DPWH meeting with interested U.S. exporters when the PSRRRP list of goods and services that will be procured is finalized.
For more information, please contact Commercial Specialist Bebe Montesines at Bebe.Montesines@trade.gov.