Leading business groups in Cebu have assured the House Committee on Transportation of the competence and dependability of one of the country’s top construction firms that has become the object of bad press in connection with the rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
In a letter to Western Samar Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento, committee chairman, the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. credited the Megawide Construction Corp. for its role in the development of infrastructure that spurred “economic growth” in Cebu’s industrial hub.
The letter was sent by Megawide President Steven Yu as MCC faced a propaganda drive believed to be aimed at destroying the firm’s reputation in the construction industry.
“As a major stakeholder in Cebu’s economic development, we are writing to vouch and confirm the role of Megawide Construction Corp. in the rehabilitation and improvement of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport,” Yu told Sarmiento.
Megawide’s woes started after the Manila International Airport Authority Board revoked the company’s Original Proponent Status for the expansion and rehabilitation of the NAIA.
A partylist lawmaker has also accused the firm of dragging President Duterte into the picture in its bid to reverse the MIAA board’s decision.
Leading business groups in Cebu have been rallying behind Megawide’s cause even as they expressed indignation against a lawsuit that questioned the legality of the firm’s partnership with GMR Infrastructure, its minority partner in the operations and maintenance of the MCIA.
These groups decried malicious attempts to smear “the only Filipino company with a proven track record l building world-class airports for the Philippines.”
In a letter addressed to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade last Dec.15, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Felix Taguiam said Megawide has the “credibility, experience, and the drive” to deliver a topnotch airport.
“Megawide worked diligently with the Cebuanos, to achieve this dream of having a world-class gateway to more opportunities the world has to offer,” Taguiam said.
Taguiam also noted that the delivery of the new MCIA accelerated the transformation of Cebu into an international destination which sparked new economic growth beyond the airport.
According to Taguiam, by facilitating tourism and trade, the NAIA rehabilitation project shall surely generate economic growth, and in effect provide more jobs and increase revenues from taxes.
“Exactly what Megawide delivered to Mactan-Cebu,” he emphasized.