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Bidding for the privatization of the General Santos port is eyed within the first half of 2026
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Project cost is estimated at P8 billion
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Philippine Ports Authority has completed the feasibility study and plans to conduct a public consultation on the project by this month or in January
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Aside from GenSan port, PPA is also aiming to bid out the port terminal management contract of port clusters
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The GenSan port bidding process will be used as “template” for the privatization of other ports.
Bidding for the privatization of the General Santos port is eyed within the first half of 2026, according to Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) general manager Jay Daniel Santiago.
PPA has completed the feasibility study and plans to conduct a public consultation on the project by this month or in January.
“So hopefully, after we conclude the public consultation sometime this December or January, we should be able to bid out General Santos before the middle of next year,” Santiago said in a press conference on December 15.
Santiago said the priority is to bid out the contract for the management and operations of GenSan port, located in south-central Mindanao, under a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme with an estimated cost of P8 billion.
The GenSan port bidding process will be used as “template” for the privatization of other ports.
The conduct of feasibility study is in compliance with the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 11966 or the PPP Code of the Philippines.
The port terminal management contracts (PMTC) for General Santos as well as other ports were planned for an earlier schedule under PPA’s Port Terminal Management Regulatory Framework (PTMRF) — PPA’s guidelines in the awarding of PMTCs — but the ports authority adjusted the timeline when the PPP Code IRR was issued in April 2024.
READ: PPA finalizing feasibility studies for GenSan, other ports under PPP scheme
PPA assistant general manager for operations Mark Jon Palomar earlier explained that they will no longer be using the PTMRF as the PPP Code “did away with separate guidelines” for privatization projects.
The investment categories under PTMRF will, however, still be used to identify the obligations of PPA and the contractors.
Under PPA Administrative Order (AO) No. 03-2023, which amended AO 03-2016 (PTMRF guidelines), the investment categories are under three tiers:
- Tier 1 – full concession for 25 years
- Tier 2 – contractor handles physical land infrastructure, above-ground fixtures and semi-fixtures, and mobile-handling equipment while PPA handles physical undersea infrastructure, 20 years concession period
- Tier 3 – contactor handles above-ground fixtures and mobile-handling equipment, 15 years concession period
According to the PPP Center’s projects dashboard, General Santos port will be under Tier 2.
Aside from General Santos port, Santiago said they will also bid out the PMTCs of port clusters.
He explained that PPA is clustering smaller terminals “to make them more viable.”
“Kasi there are terminals that are more viable than others. And we don’t want to leave these other terminals behind so ika-cluster natin siya para yung developmen–at least for that particular are–ay mas cohesive,” Santiago said.
Under PPA AO No. 03-2023, the clustering of port terminal management at several ports maybe included to ensure commercial viability of the contractor.
Based on PPA’s submitted list of projects to PPP Center as of May 2025, other ports will be under Tier 3, including the ports of Tubod, Tubigon, San Ricardo, San Juan Lubang, San Fernando (El Nido), Plaridel (Misamis Occidental), Masbate, Lucena, Lipata, Isabela (Basilan), Dumangas, Currimao, Culasi, Coron, Caticlan, Banago, Balanacan, Alegria, San Juan (Batangas), and Nasugbu.
Also under Tier 3 are port clusters, or ports that will be bid out under one contract. These include:
- clusters of Virac and San Andres (Catanduanes);
- Tablas and Carmen (Romblon);
- Siquijor, Lazi, and Larena;
- Roxas, Mansalay, and Bulalacao (Oriental Mindoro);
- Romblon and Ambulong;
- Palompon, Hilongos, and Baybay (Leyte);
- Mati and Maco (Davao);
- Limay and Orion;
- Liloy and Roxas;
- Lamao and Capinpin;
- Hinoba-an, Himamaylan, and Danao (Escalante);
- Dingalan and Casiguran;
- Coron and Borac;
- Clarin, Loon, and Maribojoc;
- Calbayog and Catbalogan;
- Bansud, Pola, and Puerto Galera;
- Balingoan and Jasaan; and
- Abra de Ilog and San Jose.
– Roumina Pablo
