Group: Ice-making machines procured by Arroyo admin overpriced by 100%

MANILA, Philippines - Militant fisherfolk Pamalakaya and Anakpawis party-list on Monday claimed that the ice-making machine turned over to a fishermen association in Surigao del Sur was overpriced by 100 percent and overdue. 

The groups said the ice-making machinery given to the Tandag Boholano Fishermen's Association last week is part of the controversial 98 ice-making machines procured during the time of ex-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former Department of Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, few months before the May 2010 polls. 

"The ice-making machine granted to a fisherfolk association was overpriced by P2.3 million or all in all the Arroyo government at that time paid P455 million for the overpriced ice-making machines," they said.   

They added that the delivery of these ice-making machines should have been completed by June 2010.

Last Jan. 8, 2010, leaders of Pamalakaya and Anakpawis filed a plunder complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman against Arroyo, Yap and officials of the Bids and Awards Committee of the DA and the National Agri-Business Corporation in connection with the purchase of overpriced ice-making machines. 

The groups said that the industry standard pegs the price of ice-making machine at P 2.3 million per unit.