Port workers are up in arms over the alleged failure of Harbor Centre Port Terminals Inc. to make good on its promise to build a new port comparable to the Port of Singapore.

Through the Philippine Association of Migrant Workers, they called on Harbor Center president Reghis Romero to suit action to his promise and start transforming the Manila North Harbor into a modern port facility.

The groups include the United Filipino Seafarers, Kaibigan ng OCWs, Kakampi, Kampi, Women in Development Foundation and Unlad Pinoy OFWs.

Last week, the groups published in four major newspapers an open letter requesting President Arroyo to look into possible rigging or underhand machinations in the bidding of the North Harbor Modernization Project.

?The last thing the Philippines wants at this point is to validate the findings of the World Bank that corruption in government infrastructure projects happens right at the project bidding. Blacklisting is such a tough word; it can actually leave a bad taste in the mouth,? the groups stated in their open letter.

The groups raised their beef on the financial capability of Harbor Centre Port Terminals to develop the North Harbor considering that when it first developed the Manila Harbor Centre more than a decade ago, it was able to get funding from various government agencies including the Social Security System, Government Service Insurance System, National Home Mortgage and Financing Corp. and even the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. Thus, when needy workers asked the OWWA thereafter for much-needed financial assistance, the agency can hardly shell out anything because its funds were practically drained.

?All that talk that HCPT will turn North Harbor similar to the Port of Singapore is nothing but hot air,? the groups remarked. ?We know for a fact that HCPT is currently delayed with its financial obligations to almost all its contractors, be it their manpower agencies, their suppliers, or other port service companies. As a matter of fact, the association of tugboats and barges in the Port of Manila is already refusing to service their requirements because HCPT has yet to settle their past dues to many of its members,? the groups said.

?Contrary to its commitment to the PPA when it applied to operate a private port that it will lower cargo handling rates, HCPT has in fact arbitrarily raised rates in some occasions and is in fact, even costlier at times than other government ports in the Port of Manila,? they pointed out.