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Wednesday, October 08, 2003
PB to create committee to monitor int'l airport project
By Stephen Capillas
THE Provincial Board (PB) passed a resolution in its regular session last Monday creating a separate committee that would monitor the implementation of the Laguindingan International Airport project.
In his report, PB Member Franklin Bade cited the need for the creation of the committee tasked to oversee implementation of the project even with the existence of the Infrastructure Monitoring and Advisory Group (Imag).
Bade said the "multipartite" committee composed of representatives from various government agencies and one from the non-government organization (NGO) would ensure that the project be implemented "according to standards".
Among the representatives to be selected include those from the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Trade and Industry (DTI), Labor and Employment (Dole) and the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
However, PB members Cancio Guibone and Oliver Actub are apprehensive about the proposed committee, with Guibone asking whether or not honoraria would be paid to the committee members.
Actub also asked regarding the extent of the authority wielded by the committee in light of the Imag's jurisdiction over the project.
The Imag is chaired by Misamis Oriental Gov. Antonio Calingin and joined by various town mayors. It is also composed of national government line agencies tied to the airport project.
In response, Misamis Oriental Vice Governor Miguel de Jesus said the proposed committee's representation is regional in scope compared to the Imag, which is both national and provincial in coverage.
De Jesus said the committee should also have the authority to oversee project implementation. The vice-governor said membership in the proposed committee is voluntary and does not require honorarium.
"You know project implementation can be spoiled by excess interference from the politicians and since we're talking of a multi-million peso national government funded project the possibility of graft and corruption is very much strong," he said.
(October 8, 2003 issue)
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