The Department of Public Works and Highways has extended for one month the deadline for submission of prequalification bidding documents for the P35-billion Cavite-Laguna Expressway.

Extending the deadline from Sept. 23 to Oct. 23 would give potential bidders, including foreign investors, sufficient time to prepare and submit prequalification bidding requirements.

So far, 18 firms, mostly from the Philippines, have secured prequalification bid documents, according to the chief of the DPWH Public Information Division.

Companies interested in the project were Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., San Miquel Corp., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp. and Makati Development Corp., Aboitizland Inc., Megawide Engineering Excellence, EFC Enterprises, M/S IL&FS Transportation Networks Ltd. (ITNL), L&T Infrastructure Development Projects Ltd., Korea Expressway Corp., Alloy MTD Philippines Inc., Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings Philippines Pte Limited, Leighton Contractors (Philippines) Inc., and EGIS Projects Developer of Infrastructure & Service.

Deadline for submitting the technical and financial bids is Dec. 27, with the government expected to issue a notice of award Jan. 3, 2014.

The project:

The project is a 4-lane, 47.02 km at-grade, which will connect the Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX) and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) through the Cavite and Laguna provinces, divides into two (2) sections: a) PPP SECTION - a 36.01 km, 4-lane toll expressway from Kawit, Cavite to Sta. Rosa, Laguna, and b) ODA SECTION - an 11.01 km, 4-lane toll expressway from Sta. Rosa, Laguna to connect with SLEX at Mamplasan Exit in Laguna.

The private proponent shall be responsible for the financing, designing and constructing of the PPP section, and the subsequent operations and maintenance (O&M) of the entire CALAX.