Gadon warns vs rushed NAIA rehab project

PRESIDENTIAL Adviser on Poverty Alleviation Secretary Lorenzo «Larry» Gadon cautioned the government against rushing the awarding of the P171-billion contract for the rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

In a statement, Gadon urged the government to extend the bidding period as the deadline set by the Department of Transportation (DoTr) may favor only two prospective project proponents.

«Why the rush? That's [a] P171 billion project. Is there a favored bidder that's why they don't want an extension?» he asked.

«I sent a message of recommendation to the Office of the President expressing my adherence to the recommendation of the ADB (Asian Development Bank) to grant the suggested extension. After all, the ADB itself is the prime mover of this extension,» he added.

Gadon said that while there are 340 pages of bid documents to be accomplished and complied with by the bidders, the December 27 deadline appears to be «tailor fit to a favored bidder.»

«The extension will also avoid possible suspicion that a favored proponent is being tailored fit to grab the award. With the staggering cost of the project — P171 billion — the selection process must not create any suspicion of rigging,» he pointed out.

Two lawmakers over the weekend backed the ADB's call to extend the deadline for the submission of bids for one month to ensure due diligence and to avoid perceptions of «favoritism.»

The Palace official warned that the DoTr might be accused of rigging the process and favoring only two prospective bidders if the Dec. 27, 2023 stays.

The ADB, in an internal memo, proposed that the bidding be extended from Dec. 27, 2023, to Jan. 29, 2024, primarily to give potential bidders more time to prepare and participate. It said that increased competition will ensure better financial outcomes for the government.

Eight firms had previously bought bid documents for the project: Asian Airport Consortium, Turkish firm Cengiz Insaat Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S., South Korea's Incheon International Airport Corp., India's GMR Group, Turkish conglomerate Limak Holding A.S., Manila International Airport Consortium, San Miguel Corp., and Spark 888 Management Inc.

Gadon said that the