Group bats for transparency in North Harbor project bidding

A group of migrant workers is pressing for a fair and transparent bidding of the North Harbor modernization project, saying that firms joining it should have financial capability to handle it.

In a statement, the Philippine Association of Migrant Workers (PAMWA) expressed apprehension that some firms joining the project would only end up barrowing funds from the government.

PAMWA is composed of the United Filipino Seafarers, Kaibigan ng OCWs, Kakampi, Kampi, Women in Development Foundation, and Unlad Pinoy OFWs.

The group cited the case of a Manila harbor project wherein the developer only got funding from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

“When needy OFWs came to the doors of OWWA for much-needed financial assistance, the agency could hardly shell out anything because its funds were practically drained by the borrower firm,” the PAMWA said.

“All promises that the Manila North Harbor would be at par with the Port of Singapore are empty if the developer would not have the capability to finance the project,” it said.

Last week, the PAMWA published an open letter to President Arroyo in four major dailies, asking her to make transparent the bidding of the North Harbor modernization project.

“The last thing the Philippines wants at this point is not to validate the findings of the World Bank that corruption in government infrastructure projects happens right at the project bidding,” the group said.