BY: Joel P. Mapiles
CLARK FREEPORT – Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) president Victor Jose Luciano cleared himself before the local media by saying that the fact-finding committee investigating the alleged “unauthorized demolition” of old buildings inside Clark is “virtually dead”.
Luciano stressed that during a recent meeting, the board found that the demolition of 16 ”unserviceable” buildings was done in good faith and according to procedure.
The donation, he said, is part of CIAC’s corporate social responsibility.
According to Luciano, the demolition issue has been dropped after explaining his side on the matter and stressing that he has followed the regular process.
Luciano said he has documents showing that the said demolition and donation to the Bamban Aeta Tribal Association had been authorized and allowed by the Presidential Management Staff as stipulated in their series of letters addressed to him.
He clarified that the Commission on Audit has also advised him to pursue the demolition and subsequent donation to Aetas, provided that it should be done at no cost to the government.
Luciano noted that the 16 demolished buildings were of no value in the books of CIAC and were considered condemned, ransacked and in the terms of the American, “derelics”.
The CIAC president said that based on the CIAC matrix, he has the authority to donate “unserviceable” buildings and scraps being part of the management’s call. This, he said, can be done without the approval and authority from the board.
Fact-Finding Committee ‘still alive’
In an interview, Nestor Mangio, chair of CIAC, told this reporter that the fact-finding committee they have created is “still alive”. He added that in fact, the committee is set to submit a recommendation by tomorrow on whether to clear or not the CIAC president on the issue.
Mangio also denied that the CIAC board has already come to a conclusion regarding the alleged irregularities in the said unauthorized demolition, which is the subject of a complaint lodged by Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo.
Mangio specifically mentioned that Luciano was out of the meeting when the board decided the probe body would submit on June 22 (tomorrow) their final recommendation and conclusion on the investigation.
Mangio said the CIAC board has also instructed the fact-finding committee to interview the Aeta beneficiaries from Bamban, Tarlac to ask whether or not they received any proceeds derived from the scrap materials of the 16 demolished buildings.
The fact-finding committee will also ask the demolition contractors about the exact amount involved in the demolition and how much went to the Aetas.
Mangio said the probe body will also determine whether or not Luciano has followed the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) manual on the disposal of government property.
Mangio said that while it’s true that Luciano based his actions on the CIAC matrix, he said there is a gray area on the matter.
Hence, he said they have to determine the minimum and maximum amount of donations lodged under the management call of the president.
“The president should also indicate the value of the donations made,” Mangio said.
Mangio said he understands that the president is allowed to donate without board consent if it involves a minimal amount such as donations to churches and buying of raffle tickets during fiestas, but when it involves millions, the president has no option but to ask first the approval of the board.
“The DBM manual, he said, requires the government-donor to accredit first the communities asking for a donation, after which, a memorandum of understanding should be signed by both parties plus the determination of the value of the donation involved if approved. Compliance and monitoring are also needed whether the donation activity has met its purpose. However, all of these things cannot be done without the approval of the board,” Mangio explained.
Mangio said they have assessed the value of the remaining old buildings not yet demolished in the light of their ongoing investigation. These old buildings are found to be still serviceable and have quality steel trashes that can be repaired or remodeled and are of significant cash value.
He said the significant value of the demolished buildings can be testified by Pelayo, as he has already expressed his intention to lease or rent the said buildings for his agri-production and marketing activities for the benefit of the farmers.
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