Villarete to finish MCIAA administrative building despite corruption tag

CEBU, Philippines – In the spirit of good governance, newly installed Mactan Cebu International Airport general manager Nigel Paul Villarete vowed to finish the alleged anomalous construction of the airport's administrative building.

Villarete said he would be wasting government's money if he abandons the project because of allegations of corruption.

"That's not good governance if we are going to waste people's money on structure left standing and not used," Villarete said.

The construction of the MCIA administrative building is subject of an ongoing investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas because of the complaint filed by Crisologo Saavedra.

Saavedra, a self-styled graft crusader, questioned the P120-million project claiming that the airport management already spent P65 million but the structure remains unfinished.

Charged before the anti-graft office is the previous MCIAA Board composed of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, Renato Osmeña, Patria Aurora Roa, Valeriano Avila, Winglip Chang, Nilo Jatico, Gordon Joseph and Ma. Lourdes Dedal.

Former general manager Adelberto Yap, Sigfredo Dublin, Bienvinido Malayang VII, Veronica Ordoñez and Lanto Makabangkit were also among the respondents.

In a forum yesterday, Villarete said he will review what transpired in the previous administration because he intends to finish the project and use the building.

Villarete said he actually have three options on what to do with the project. First, he can complete the construction and use the building; second, he can leave the unfinished structure as it is; and third, he can have it demolished.

"There has no other option that is available for us. Certainly, I'll take the positive option of good governance and that is good governance if we spend money and we are going to use it," he said.

It was lawyer Rory Jon Sepulveda who served as MCIAA Board legal consultant, has said that the MCIAA administration building was not finished because of certain impediments, including a claimant to the lot.

"Technical and legal obstacles should be overcome," Villarete said.

Villarete said it is his direction to secure the approval and the assistance of the MCIAA board to complete the building.

He said completing the building is the cheapest way to decongest the existing building which is used by airport operation and as offices.

Once the offices are transferred to the new building, a lot of spaces will be available in the existing building.

Villarete added that it is also easiest and cheapest way to improve infrastructure in the airport.  (FREEMAN)