Strike did not affect operations at MCIA

CEBU, Philippines - The strike staged by Philippine Airlines’ ground crew that crippled almost 200 flights did not affect the airport operations, Mactan Cebu International Airport general manager Paul Nigel Villarete.

Except for lesser flights, “there’s no economic effect of any disruptions in flights,” said Villarete in an interview with reporters.

He said the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority is a service-oriented agency so they do not interfere with the issue.

“If there are flights, we accept. If wala, we won’t,” he said.

Right now, Villarete said, what they are doing is to take extra care of their passengers.

“At the start it was sudden, so we have to put extra effort to maintain passenger convenience,” he said.

The protesting workers said they would continue with their protest until the PAL management accepts their demands.

Of the 2,600 employees affected nationwide, 206 come from Mactan airport. Ten of the 206 protested to the contractualization that PAL has implemented starting October 1. 

Though 90 percent of all employees in Mactan have accepted the management offer, the 10 protesters said they would continue holding rallies with the support of other labor organizations.

The Lapu-Lapu City Police Office has put up checkpoints particularly in Barangay Pusok to monitor the movements of protesters and their supporters.

Since October 1, PAL management has been outsourcing employees. — (FREEMAN)