DOTC chief set to hold talks with airport groups

Transportation and Communications Secretary Pantaleon Alvarez is set to conduct a dialogue with groups opposing the contract with the Philippine International Air Terminal Corp. (PIATCO) to operate the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.

Alvarez said he would soon meet with the MIA-NAIA Association of Service Operators (MASO), Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) and Manila Integrated Airport Service Corp. (MASCO) to ease fears the contract would displace aviation industry workers.

"I am confident that this dialogue will finally clear the air so we can move on. I appreciate the willingness of the other side to sit down with us," Alvarez said.

Instead of dislocating workers, Alvarez said the PIATCO contract would in fact need 12,000 additional workers, more than half of the current airport work force.

"The new terminal will, in fact, increase and not diminish employment opportunities, especially among aviation workers. They have nothing to fear," he said.

Alvarez called for the dialogue after MASO, PALEA and MASCO representatives staged a picket at the Senate last week to oppose his confirmation by the congressional Commission on Appointments (CA).

Also expected to join the dialogue are Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon and Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas as well as officials of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and PIATCO.

Alvarez also invited members of the task force that President Arroyo created to oversee the implementation of the PIATCO concession agreement.