CLARK FREEPORT — Business advocate Rene G. Romero has raised serious concerns over the Commission on Audit’s (COA) latest findings on the delayed and questionable construction of the new 18-storey Clark International Airport (CRK) Air Traffic Control Tower, calling it a potential symbol of “corruption and mismanagement.”
In a strongly worded statement titled “Tower of Corruption?”, Romero, former chairman of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (PamCham), said the COA’s audit report reflects a “disturbing lapse” in government oversight, particularly on a project as strategic as CRK’s aviation infrastructure.
“The first and foremost accountability lies with the government contract managers and project monitors,” Romero said. “Their failure to strictly enforce timelines, quality standards, and contractual obligations has compromised both the project’s integrity and delivery.”
COA flagged the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) for issuing advance payments of over P5.47 million to a contractor for work either incomplete or nonexistent—such as elevator installation and concrete works—without proper inspection or documentation.
Romero, a longtime advocate of Clark’s development, warned that this kind of procurement failure reflects systemic dysfunction in how public infrastructure is bid out and managed.
“Are we choosing the most capable contractors—or just the cheapest?” he asked. “While transparency is essential, it should not come at the cost of competence and reliability.”
The COA audit also revealed discrepancies in equipment brands, with the elevator installed reportedly being a cheaper substitute to the German-made unit originally specified, prompting further safety and compliance concerns.
Romero said the issue must not be brushed aside as a minor infraction, stressing that the CRK tower is a critical facility for aviation safety and efficiency, especially as Clark positions itself as a major international gateway alongside NAIA and other ASEAN airports.
“This is not just about a tower—it’s about the credibility of public infrastructure delivery in the Philippines,” he emphasized. “We cannot afford to normalize this level of negligence.”
Romero urged authorities to hold accountable all those involved, from approving officials to project monitors, and called for reforms in project management and merit-based procurement.
“Let this be a wake-up call. The business sector and the public demand better. We deserve infrastructure that’s not just built—but built right.”
The COA report has sparked discussions among local stakeholders, many of whom share Romero’s call for transparency, accountability, and swift corrective action to prevent similar setbacks in other big-ticket government projects.