CLARK FREEPORT – “This is an example of a successful failure.”
Thus said a sub-contractor of the P308-million Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) Terminal I expansion project with the delay of its completion due to claims that the principal contractor failed to pay them on time.
In an interview last week, the sub-contractor said the principal contractor — Laguna-based AG Araja firm — had failed to pay them despite the “on-time” payment made by Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) to the firm.
“There are proofs showing that the CIAC makes on-time payments to AG Araja. But it does not do its share with the sub-contractors,” he said.
The sub-contractor, who asked not be identified for fear of reprisals, said the expansion project should have been completed last week after it was given 90 days for its completion. But that only 60 percent of the project is finished.
CIAC also shares the blame, the sub-contractor said, for awarding the project to a non-Kapampangan contractor.
“Why did CIAC have to give it to a contractor from Laguna when there is an extravagance of equally if not more competent contractors in Pampanga?,” he lamented. “A Kapampangan contractor would make sure of completing the project on time, knowing that it is a legacy of the Kapampangan president for her people. His pride and honor would ensure that work will be best, if not fast.”
“Sa kadwang hapag na lang ba ang mga taga Pampanga (Are the people from Pampanga just good for second serving?” he added.
In a statement issued last March 3, CIAC President and CEO Victor Jose Luciano said the expansion project was expected to be finished and operational by the middle of April. He added that they even planned to invite President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on her birthday last April 5 to lead the inauguration of the project.
The sub-contractor alleged that Luciano had “coddled” AG Araja. He added that the CIAC top executive was reportedly in favor of the request of the AG Araja for an extension for the completion of the project.
He disclosed that CIAC chairman of the board Nestor Mangio had wanted the contract with AG Araja to be terminated following its failure to complete the project on time, and “implement it by administration.”
“Just read between the lines on why Luciano had insisted on holding on to the firm,” he said.
The alliance between Luciano and the AG Araja “had sabotaged” one of the flagship projects of Arroyo.
“A flagship project that is now only at half-mast, the same honor accorded dead officials,” he said.
“Perto Cruz of the Pinoy Gumising Ka Movement is vindicated in saying the DMIA means Dead Macapagal International Airport due to the failure of the authorities to effect its full development,” said the sub-contractor.
The new expanded DMIA Terminal 1 is a two-storey building that will feature two aero bridges, flight information display, close circuit television, background music, public address system,x-ray machines, escalators and elevators, according to CIAC.
The CIAC said that the new expanded terminal will have a bigger space for commercial concessionaires including a larger lounge for passengers.
The expanded terminal will accommodate an additional 500,000 passengers annually. The current capacity of the terminal is 2 million passengers annually, the CIAC added.
Thus said a sub-contractor of the P308-million Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) Terminal I expansion project with the delay of its completion due to claims that the principal contractor failed to pay them on time.
In an interview last week, the sub-contractor said the principal contractor — Laguna-based AG Araja firm — had failed to pay them despite the “on-time” payment made by Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) to the firm.
“There are proofs showing that the CIAC makes on-time payments to AG Araja. But it does not do its share with the sub-contractors,” he said.
The sub-contractor, who asked not be identified for fear of reprisals, said the expansion project should have been completed last week after it was given 90 days for its completion. But that only 60 percent of the project is finished.
CIAC also shares the blame, the sub-contractor said, for awarding the project to a non-Kapampangan contractor.
“Why did CIAC have to give it to a contractor from Laguna when there is an extravagance of equally if not more competent contractors in Pampanga?,” he lamented. “A Kapampangan contractor would make sure of completing the project on time, knowing that it is a legacy of the Kapampangan president for her people. His pride and honor would ensure that work will be best, if not fast.”
“Sa kadwang hapag na lang ba ang mga taga Pampanga (Are the people from Pampanga just good for second serving?” he added.
In a statement issued last March 3, CIAC President and CEO Victor Jose Luciano said the expansion project was expected to be finished and operational by the middle of April. He added that they even planned to invite President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on her birthday last April 5 to lead the inauguration of the project.
The sub-contractor alleged that Luciano had “coddled” AG Araja. He added that the CIAC top executive was reportedly in favor of the request of the AG Araja for an extension for the completion of the project.
He disclosed that CIAC chairman of the board Nestor Mangio had wanted the contract with AG Araja to be terminated following its failure to complete the project on time, and “implement it by administration.”
“Just read between the lines on why Luciano had insisted on holding on to the firm,” he said.
The alliance between Luciano and the AG Araja “had sabotaged” one of the flagship projects of Arroyo.
“A flagship project that is now only at half-mast, the same honor accorded dead officials,” he said.
“Perto Cruz of the Pinoy Gumising Ka Movement is vindicated in saying the DMIA means Dead Macapagal International Airport due to the failure of the authorities to effect its full development,” said the sub-contractor.
The new expanded DMIA Terminal 1 is a two-storey building that will feature two aero bridges, flight information display, close circuit television, background music, public address system,x-ray machines, escalators and elevators, according to CIAC.
The CIAC said that the new expanded terminal will have a bigger space for commercial concessionaires including a larger lounge for passengers.
The expanded terminal will accommodate an additional 500,000 passengers annually. The current capacity of the terminal is 2 million passengers annually, the CIAC added.
