DOTC ‘advanced’ P58 million Payment not allowed by COA but radar firm still got funds
By Joel M. Sy Egco, Assignments Editor
GOVERNMENT auditors have disallowed a P58-million “advance payment” made by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to the winning bidder for the controversial Communications, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) Systems Development Project, which was reportedly among the main reasons for the “sacking” of top agency officials.
In his “Valentine’s Day” letter to Transportation Secretary Jose “Ping” de Jesus, a copy of which was obtained by The Manila Times, DOTC resident auditor and lawyer Aristoteles Ilarde disallowed the release of the amount representing “15-percent advance payment” because of the failure of agency officials to clarify certain issues raised previously by the Commission on Audit (COA) regarding the project.
“We are returning the Request of Disbursement and Disbursement Voucher No. 102-201101-0083 dated January 19, 2011, and the related supporting documents for the 15 percent advance payment [to] Sumitomo Corporation/Thales Australia Ltd. Joint venture of the New CNS/ATM Systems Development Project Package I in the amounts of Y1,036,221,982.00 and P58,923,269.03 due to failure by management to clarify the issues and concerns raised in COA Audit Observations Memorandum No. 09-033 dated July 2, 2010 and the related series of communications thereafter,” Ilarde said in his letter coursed through DOTC chief accountant Edna Tapar.
Questions on the propriety of the CNS/ATM project came after the Transportation department awarded Package 1 of the project to Sumitomo/Thales Joint Venture on December 23, 2010. This phase costs P4.2 billion.
Since July last year, COA has been seeking clarifications from the proponents of the CNS/ATM project on some vague provisions in the contract.
Despite this, the DOTC released the 15-percent advance payment to the contractor.
State auditors decided to “disallow” the payment after they found out that only a consultant had ordered commencement of the project.
“We also noted that the Notice to Proceed/Notice of Commencement of Work to Sumitomo Corporation was not issued by the Head of the Procuring Entity but instead by the consultant, which is not in accordance with the provisions of RA [Republic Act] 9184,” Ilarde further said in the letter.
“In view thereof, compliance is hereby requested before appropriate action could be taken on the herein claim,” he added.
RA 9184 is the act providing for the modernization, standardization and regulation of the procurement activities of the government and for other purposes.
When sought for comment, de Jesus maintained that there was nothing wrong in their actions and that the issues raised by the Audit commission were all being addressed.
“We have responded to all the issues raised by the auditor and have appealed the auditor’s disallowance,” he said through a text message he sent to The Manila Times.
A source of The Times claimed that the Commission on Audit advised the Transportation department against awarding the CNS/ATM contract to Thales Australia Ltd. because it was blacklisted for abandoning a previous deal with the Philippine government.
Formerly known as Thompson-CSF Group, Thales was blacklisted during the time of President Fidel Ramos after failing to deliver on its contract package for the Globe Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS), which resulted in the Philippine Coast Guard resorting to the use of its antiquated system in its maritime operations.
“[COA] stated they [DOTC] cannot award [the project] to Thales considering that they have abandoned the project called the global maritime distress signal system. At [the] time, their name was Thompson CSF. The disqualification of other bidders was also spurious,” The Times source said.
A highly-reliable government source earlier claimed that de Jesus and his subordinates were actually “asked to resign” after they drew the ire of President Benigno Aquino 3rd for ignoring his instructions to have certain contracts further scrutinized on suspicion that these may be riddled with anomalies.
Apart from the CNS/ATM System Project, the other “dubious” deals are the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 7 Project and the inter-connectivity contract between the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and information technology provider Stradcom Corp.
The source claimed that the President has come across the questionable decisions by agency officials on the controversial deals.
Besides being expensive, the Japanese-funded air traffic management project was criticized for allegedly being “flawed,” “futile” and “redundant” since existing air traffic facilities can very well handle anticipated increase in international and domestic flights in the future.
Critics said that the CNS/ATM System Project worth P13 billion should be quashed because the existing Manila Air Control Center (MACC) can still effectively manage air traffic.
At the most, the sources added, an upgrade of the MACC should be undertaken.
Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/news/topstories/dotc-%E2%80%98advanced%E2%80%99-p58-million/
Best restaurant in Clark Pampanga attracts diners and wine lovers from Manila, Subic and Angeles City Philippines to wine and dine at this fine dining restaurant
More and more, frequent diners from Manila, Angeles City, Subic and other major cities in Asia travel to North Luzon Pampanga Clark Freeport to enjoy good food in a romantic fine dining restaurant. On their list of requirements is a good wine list that not only offers a wide selection of wines from different countries but also older vintages that can be enjoyed now and not ten years later. Classic fine dining is the experience that guests of Clark Pampanga’ Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar offers to their guests. Although this is an upscale fine dining establishment, families find the restaurant to be very children friendly.
Private dinners can be accommodated in this famous restaurant located in Mimosa, at the heart of Pampanga Clark Freeport. Private rooms suitable for 4 to 24 can be reserved in advance for company and personal functions and events. This fine dining restaurant is a very popular venue for small wedding receptions, social events, company board meetings and annual parties. This popular night out spot is generally regarded as the best restaurant in Clark Pampanga, a good nightlife destination as well as a good place to drink, relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic and Clark.
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Wine lover’s choice – Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar – for the most impressive and practical wine list in the Philippines, over 2700 selections, enough to satisfy the most fastidious connoisseurs. Wine lovers and gourmand foodies from Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Korea and Malaysia dine at Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar when they visit Philippines and bring home some rare vintage wines too.
Best place to unwind in Angeles City Pampanga Philippines is to wine and dine at Yats Restaurant which is also considered as the best restaurant in Clark for group dinners, parties and social functions outside of Manila. Guests of this top rated fine dining resto bar in Clark enjoy the cozy ambience, the spacious dining area as well as the privacy and exclusivity of this top restaurant near Manila in Clark. Some guests wine and dine at this famous restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga for its gourmet food. Others frequently dine at this restaurant in Clark for its fine selection of vintage wines that are offered at attractive prices. Some guests, business executives especially, select this restaurant because of its elegant private dining facilities and the attentive and professional service that the staff provide for a more formal business dinner.
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Getting to this fine dining restaurant of Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Pampanga Philippines
How to get to this fine-dining restaurant in Clark Pampanga? Once you get to Clark Freeport, go straight until you hit Mimosa. After you enter Mimosa, stay on the left on Mimosa Drive, go past the Holiday Inn and Yats Restaurant (green top, independent 1-storey structure) is on your left. Just past the Yats Restaurant is the London Pub.
Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar
Mimosa Drive past Holiday Inn, Mimosa Leisure Estate,
Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Philippines 2023
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay
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