Lazatin: CIAC lacks clear lease process
- Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2015/12/13/lazatin-ciac-lacks-clear-lease-process-446774
- Monday, December 14, 2015
- (Sun.Star Pampanga)
ANGELES CITY -- Former Angeles City mayor and congressman Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin has reiterated that there is no clear process in the leasing of an idle property owned by the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC).
Lazatin, chairman of the Amalgamated Builders and Contractors Inc., which operates the Stotsenberg Hotel and Casablanca Casino in Clark, was reacting to the statement of CIAC head Emigdio “Dino” Tanjuatco there is no favoritism in CIAC.
Lazatin said they are willing to join the bidding process for the property situated near the hotel.
“Anong klaseng process ba ang sinusunod nila? We have signified our intent to join the bidding but over one year had passed and not even the initial stages of the biddings happened. As far as we know may time table ang bidding,” Lazatin said.
“Nasaan na ang tuwid na daan? I thought they are adhering to the tuwid na daan ng ating Pangulo? Liku-liko ang daan, hindi pa natin nakikita,” he added.
Lazatin earlier claimed that CIAC is favoring a foreign investor. But Tanjuatco was quick to dismiss the claims saying CIAC is following a process in approving lease contracts.
“If there is no favoritism and they are not favoring other foreign investor, how come it has been almost a year and yet we haven’t received any response on the status of our intent to rent the idle buildings beside our hotel despite following the laws and the instructions and recommendations from CIAC,” Lazatin said.
The former mayor also questioned Tanjuatco’s statement that "they only consider what is for the best interests of CIAC.”
“We understand there is a process, but what is it and why can’t they point us in the right direction on what we are supposed to do?” Lazatin said.
“Sa lahat naman ng bagay mayroon talagang proseso. Willing naman tayo sundin ang proseso nila kaya lang hindi natin alam kung ano iyon dahil wala naman silang sinasabi sa atin,” Lazatin added.
In November 2014, Lazatin wrote to Tanjuatco manifesting their firm’s intention to rent or lease the property with the three buildings along the Gil Puyat Avenue.
He told Tanjuatco in a separate letter that their firm will invest a minimum of P100 million and provide employment for some 300 persons.
In August 2015, Lazatin wrote to Tanjuatco wrote another letter offering to rent the area for the next 25 years with a minimum guaranteed lease of $1.60 per square meter.
“The escalation of the minimum guaranteed lease for the property shall be 10 percent compound every five years thereafter,” Lazatin added.