DOTC check on Airport deals get final look of Legal dep't
Iloilo -- Over a month into the promised review, audit and further study made by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) into all transactions of the multi-billion New Iloilo Airport Development Project (NADP), the results are finally in.
Now undergoing "careful scrutiny," DOTC Assistant Secretary Ricardo Tan said in an interview that corresponding review is being done if only to ensure the veracity of the Department"s findings.
While no specifics were released by Tan, DOTC insiders reached by The News Today disclosed of "significant" findings even as the move to have the transactions evaluated anew called for major revamp of the project"s management team.
Reached by Bombo Radyo, said DOTC Assistant Secretary further allayed fears and gnawing concerns particularly from the project affected people concerning the remaining government benefits as promised to them.
As such, until the final nod is given by the Legal Department of the DOTC, all talks and pending negotiations will have to be coursed through Secretary Leandro Mendoza.
The DOTC was tasked by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to make the corresponding evaluation and recommendation on the ongoing works of the airport project. Such, amidst the order to abolish the Iloilo International Airport Coordinating Committee.
Dated December 2, 2005, the President in a Memorandum ordered the re-examination of all existing contracts and procedures and provide the over-all policy guidelines and directions "in the equitable, effective and timely implementation of the project."
"Considering the need to catch up with serious and escalating delays in the construction of the Iloilo International Airport and to resolve environmental and legal issues as well as issues on equity, legality and propriety, the Iloilo International Airport Coordinating Committee is hereby abolished and its functions transferred to the Secretary of Transportation," President Arroyo in a Memorandum issued.
Foremost of the subject put into DOTC review are charges of anomaly in the implementation of contracted services of the airport construction. Corresponding Congressional probe made was terminated in December with probe results expected next month.