Transportation Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II said the government will only pay French firm Eiffel Matiere the price of the steel pipes that it had delivered to the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) by virtue of quantum meruit – a legal term which means “as much as he deserves” and is often used as a basis to continue a service without an agreement or contract.
Under the previous administration, the government had already paid a down payment of 22 million euros, or 15 percent of the total project cost, to Eiffel Matiere, which in turn manufactured 50 percent of the steel pipes needed for the 70 modular ports envisioned to be constructed under the GMA RoRo port project. The Eiffel Matiere was scheduled to deliver the remaining steel pipe piles, movable ramps, and uni-bridge systems that comprise most of the materials to build the modular ports but it was deferred when Roxas replaced resigned DoTC Secretary Jose “Ping” de Jesus.
Upon his assumption to office, Roxas had the GMA RoRo ports project under review and eventually recommended the cancellation of the project after being found to be “overpriced.”
“The project is cancelled. What will be paid for are only those that were delivered. After payment is done, (our contractual obligation) is over,” Roxas said. Even if the GMA RoRo ports will no longer be constructed, Roxas said the government can still make use of the steel pipes or sell them. “The DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways)
and PPA can use some of the steel pipes and the private sector has also expressed interest to buy some if government intends to sell. In fact, there are already some bidders,” he added.
Source : By KRIS BAYOS - mb.com
