Saavedra to file plaint against MCIAA officials

CEBU, Philippines - Officials of the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority may face a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman after allegedly entering a negotiated procurement of three airport refueling trucks worth over P10 million, an amount higher than the price offered by another supplier.

Businessman and known whistleblower Crisologo Saavedra said he will file a case before the Ombudsman on Monday against airport officials involved in an alleged anomalous bidding.

According to Saavedra, the MCIAA reportedly entered a negotiated procurement of three airport refueling trucks from a lone bidder in the amount of P10,250,000.

 Bid Bulletin No. 2 of the MCIAA Bids and Awards Committee has invited the supplier of the three units- “Refurbished Aircraft Refueler Trucks 5,000 Gallons Capacity with Accessories for MCIAA” with an Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) of P30.9 million or at P10.3 million, each reportedly through a negotiated contract.

 Last January 15, the MCIAA BAC bidded out the project and a lone bidder offered P10.25 million per unit of refurbished stainless tank and prime mover.

 On January 20, Solid Machinery & Diesel Parts, Inc. with office in EDSA Balintawak, Quezon City sent its quotation to MCIAA offering a “brand new tank stainless steel” fuel tanker at P5 million each and another “brand new tank stainless steel” fuel tanker at P7 million each with complete specification as required.

 Saavedra said as early as November 27, 2015, he already got the quotation from Solid Machinery & Diesel Parts, Inc. offering a refurbished prime mover with new stainless tank manufactured in the Philippines with complete specification required by MCIAA at P5 million per unit.

MCIAA officials did not further comment on the allegation and said Saavedra has his rights. “Well, that’s Saavedra’s right as a taxpayer,” said MCIAA Assistant General Manager Ahmed Cuizon.  —  (FREEMAN)