By Ayen Infante
03/12/2009 [ tribune.net.ph ]
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) accused yesterday noted Filipino architect Felino Palafox Jr. of economic sabotage for causing the delay of the $80-million Ocean’s 9 casino project of Korean proponent Grand Utopia Inc.
Palafox was commissioned to oversee the design of the casino project.
SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza indicated that Palafox was trying to pressure the Korean firm to relocate the project near a resort in which the architect has a stake.
Despite the controversy, Arreza said he was able to convince the Korean firm to stay but would give support in finding another location for the project.
Arreza said SBMA is considering two separate sites to relocate the project but has yet to finalize the details with the proponent whom Arreza said was deeply discouraged by the alleged environmental issue raised by Palafox on the project.
Grand Utopia which is a state-run entity in Korea or the counterpart of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. was seriously thinking of another site to operate its casino business.
Arreza said the world-class reputation and features of Subic in accommodating its investors has helped him convince the Korean firm not to relocate the project away from the Subic Freeport.
“Now that every economy in the region is in crisis for investments that could bring thousands of jobs to pump prime their economies, here we are with one notable architect who has succeeded in sabotaging the economy,” Arreza said.
Arreza further doubts the intentions of Palafox after learning from classified documents that which the architect wanted was to get the project situated near the Subic Coastal Development Corp. near the Moon Bay Marina where Palafox has a reported five percent ownership.
“It was his personal interest from day one to move the project in an area where he has a business presence because we have documents furnished us by the Securities and Exchange Commission that he has five percent ownership in Subic Coastal,” Arreza said.
Apart from being successful in sabotaging the economy, Arreza added Palafox was also successful in giving Subic a very bad reputation.
Instead of seeing new construction activities in the freeport zone, the Palafox-made controversy has delayed the project for four months now. The delay is equivalent to $1 million a month in estimated expenses out of the pocket of the proponent.
Palafox had alleged the proposed casino when built at the original site would destroy 300 trees which Arreza said were all “lies” because even Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza and active environment groups have inspected the site and have not seen one single tree cut.
As far as Subic is concerned, the Palafox issue is already a closed case since SBMA and the DENR have stated again that the government will not allow any tree to be cut in Subic freeport zone.
The unnecessary delay will be the result of adjustments in the design of the building since the project would be relocated.
The proponent is requiring two hectares of property which Arreza said remains a big factor in finding an alternative site because there are few areas left in Subic suited for their requirement.
In spite of the problem, Arreza sees the realization of big-ticket project before the end of the year. “These are where investments that were deferred due to many reasons but have assured of coming by the 4th quarter of the year.”
SBMA is expecting $800 million in additional investments that would translate to job generation for more than 10,000 workers. Arreza projects to bring 150,000 jobs in 2010 or double from 86,000 made in 2008.
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