A response from the PTA

I got a very lengthy response to our article on tourism last Monday coming from Bong Magpayo, business development officer of the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA). Here’s his letter:

"This refers to Mr. Bobit S. Avila’s column (Inside Cebu) last July 12, 2004 wherein he made a commentary about PTA’s Kang-Irag Golf Course and Argao Beach Club. Furthermore, he underscored PTA’s seemingly poor financial management, to quote, ‘While whatever King Midas touched turned into gold, here whatever PTA touches loses money.’

"Admittedly, current GM Robert Dean Barbers inherited a gargantuan set of problems upon his assumption into office in 2002, one of which is the perennial financial loss being incurred by the PTA entities and properties situated all over the country. Beyond expectations, however, GM Barbers steadfastly spent his few months immediately addressing this problem. As a result, the entities posted a positive bottom line for the first time (as revealed by the second semester financial statements of this year with a corresponding article published in your paper dated June 23, 2004, Wednesday issue, in the People/Events Section). And in recognition of its highly improved performance, the PTA bagged the Pro-active Programs Achievement Award (Quality and Productivity Category) from the Department of Trade and Industry’s Center for Industrial Competitiveness as the sole government agency recipient. A first award given to PTA since its inception 31 years ago.

"Under the law, PTA is mandated to develop viable tourism projects and is divested thereafter to the private sector. Such was the case of the Kang-Irag Golf Course where PTA entered into a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) with Gotesco Properties in 1996. However, because of the violations committed by Gotesco Properties, PTA filed a case against the said corporation for the rescission of the JVA and claimed for damages before the Regional Trial Court (RTC-Branch 22) of Cebu City. Both parties arrived at a compromise agreement through the mediation of the presiding judge. Unfortunately, Gotesco again failed to honor its commitment. PTA subsequently filed a writ of execution. To date, the case is still pending.

"Similarly, PTA entered into a JVA with Unimasters Conglomeration Inc. (UCI) in 1998 for the Argao Beach Club (ABC). However, due to questions raised on the financial capability of UCI, the board of directors then of PTA decided to revoke the contract. Furthermore, PTA settled amicably the case with the Tuadles family, acknowledged claimant (of) the property where ABC is located. To date, said property is being contested for purchase by two investors. Rest assured the PTA shall decide on this matter soonest.

"Allow me to clarify further and give emphasis that above contracts entered into by and between PTA and Gotesco and PTA and UCI were made and implemented before the time of GM Dean Barbers. Be that as it may, GM Barbers is practically doing everything within the bounds of the law to expedite the speedy resolution of these cases. We hope we were able to shed light raised by the highly esteemed columnist and for the information of the avid readers of The Philippine STAR. Sincerely yours… Bong Magpayo."

First of all, let me thank Mr. Magpayo for his enlightening letter. If at all we wrote that piece, it was also to draw the PTA into telling us what’s happening with the PTA in Cebu. Indeed, outside of the PTA’s serious lack of managerial skills, there’s also zero transparency in that office. Let me point out clearly that we’re not accusing PTA general manager Dean Barbers of anything for admittedly, he inherited this problem from his three predecessors. But I earnestly hope that under the new administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (PGMA), we would see more transparency in the PTA. This letter sets a positive tone for the sake of transparency.

I first exposed the problems in Kang-Irag during the time of Ed Joaquin and it seems that we were right on target. We never trusted Gotesco to deliver on their boasts (notice I didn’t say promises?) that the course would be playable by 1998. But the fact remains that eight years later, the PTA continues to lose on this contract when Gotesco virtually destroyed the old, playable golf course to build a new one… one that they never delivered. I guess, you can say the same thing with the Argao Beach Club contract.

What we need are positive results that would move things forward. Now what about the mangoes? Like what we said, these fruit-bearing mango trees are on the PTA property and certainly someone is making money on this… and I can only hope that the PTA is getting the proceeds of those trees which should be reflected in its books. If not, then someone is profiting from those trees.

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Here’s another e-mailed response to our article on GMA’s victory:

"Dear Mr. Avila, I would like to correct a portion of your column in The Philippine STAR dated June 28, 2004 wherein you mentioned that in Tarlac province, there was a tie in the election results between GMA and FPJ. For the record, based on the COCs, GMA won in Tarlac by almost 44,000 votes more than her loss in Pangasinan which was a little over 42,000 votes. By the way, Tarlac is populated mostly by Kapampangans and Ilocanos.

"GMA did lose in Northern and Western Samar by around 148,000 votes contrary to what you have stated. Perhaps you may be referring to Eastern Samar which I’m not familiar with. I do agree, however, with your assessment that without the Cebuano votes, GMA would have lost the election. This is a great credit to Cebuanos and a glaring testament to the observation that most Cebuanos are intelligent voters as compared to their Tagalog counterparts.

"Thank you for the kind attention and due correction. Through your column, I wish to extend my admiration and gratitude to the Cebuano voters, they deserve it. Very truly yours... R.A. Asuncion Antipolo City."

We stand corrected, but let me point out that we put in those figures from a non-official Comelec count, but thanks just the same Mr. Asuncion for bringing this to our attention.

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For e-mail responses to this article, write to [email protected]. Bobit Avila’s columns can also be accessed through www.thefreeman.com. He also hosts a weekly talk show, "Straight from the Sky," shown every Monday, at 8 p.m. only in Metro Cebu on Channel 15 of SkyCable.