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AFTER what visiting US State Department’s Jay Hicks officially
described as a “rigorous international bidding process,” a
$119-million contract to build the new look US Embassy on its
existing seafront compound in Roxas Boulevard has been awarded to
the Makati Development Corporation (MDC), the construction arm of
Ayala Land.
Work on this major construction and
modernization project, which US Ambassador Kristie Kenney described
as “one of the largest to be undertaken by the US State Department
this year,” commenced last week (fittingly four days before the
July 4 celebration of US Independence) and will be completed in
2012.
Ambassador Kenney added: “This is part of the
US Embassy’s commitment to improve services for the public and
reinforcing the close ties between the United States and the
Republic of the Philippines.”
The main emphasis of the modernizing project is
“better service and greater convenience.” And when the work is
completed it will provide the embassy with 30,000 square meters of
extra workspace, and increase the number of service windows for
passports and other application from the existing 66 to 98.
Ambassador Kenney also happily added that the
new embassy will also generate $100 million in new business for the
City of Manila—a remark that lit up the face of dynamic Mayor Fred
Lim of Manila, who was the guest of honor at the groundbreaking
rites.
Which was probably what led Mayor Lim, in a
moment of fulsome reciprocity, to point out that City Hall would
consider tax exemptions for the new complex.
On the chancery compound, the chancery
building—an historic landmark that has come to symbolize the US
diplomatic presence in the Philippines—will be unaffected by the
construction and remain in place.
The new consular public services building will
feature large indoor waiting areas for the public. And the increase
in the number of service windows will make the process of acquiring
visas and other documents more efficient, faster, and more pleasant
for the public.
There will also be more windows for the
processing and delivery of services to American citizens and
Filipino citizens who qualify for Veterans Administration and Social
Security Administration benefits. Additionally, larger offices and a
larger, more modern medical clinic for veterans will be constructed
on the seafront compound.
MDC, the Filipino winner that beat numerous
large international firms in an open, worldwide competition that
featured a competitive bidding process and a rigorous evaluation
system, was represented at the ceremony by its chairman and CEO of
Ayala Land, Jaime Ayala.
In his remarks Ayala did not hide his
company’s delight at having outclassed several international firms
to clinch the prestigious project. He pointed out that the Filipinos
have achieved global fame in three “Bs”—boxing, bowling and
billiards. “Now we can add a fourth—building,” added Ayala.
At this point the US State Department’s Hicks
quipped: “And the State Department is very good at another
‘B’—bill paying. So we will make sure you get paid for the
job.”
Minimizing inconveniences, it will be business
as usual at the embassy during the four years of construction work.
Embassy and MDC staff will work with local authorities to minimize
traffic and other potential disruptions.
But the embassy apologetically pointed out that
the public should expect limited, episodic construction-related
traffic delays at various times in the immediate vicinity of the
embassy compound.
In a parting note, Mayor Lim pointed out that he
hoped Ambassador Kenney—whom he credited with being the driving
force behind the mammoth expansion and considered as “one of the
best US Ambassadors ever appointed to the Philippines”—will
still be here when the new complex is inaugurated in 2012. Or if she
is not, that she will return for the momentous occasion as an
honored guest.
rjottings@yahoo.com
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