'Airports must adopt 24/7 operations'

MANILA, Philippines - The government’s decision to stop charging airlines for the overtime of customs and other airport personnel and adopt a 24/7 operation as practiced all over the world will make the country more competitive and hence more attractive to business and tourists, foreign and local airlines said in a statement.

“This singular act speaks volumes in terms of governance. An airport is a gateway to the country and its services, including the enforcement of customs laws, are the responsibility of the government, not the airlines,” said lawyer Bayani Agabin, spokesman for the Board of Airline Representatives (BAR).

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima last month told customs officials that international ports will go 24/7 from the present one shift that starts at 8 in the morning and ends at 5 in the afternoon. He told them to submit their manpower requirements for budget purposes.

It also resolves the issue between BAR and airport customs people who have even expanded their overtime charges to include their meals and transportation.

“The amount charged to airlines is excessive because if four airlines land, they charge four times for overtime, meals and transportation for the same hour that they serve,” Agabin said.

The feud between the airlines and airport customs boiled over after the latter decided to double their charges in 2005, Agabin said.

Customs officials explained that the increase was due to the doubling of the exchange rate to around P50 to a dollar from around P25 in the mid-’90s.

Customs officials further insisted that though they do not spend in dollars, the airlines earn in dollars.

The question now, Agabin said, is if the airport customs people would comply with the Purisima order.

“This issue was already resolved by former Customs commissioner Lito Alvarez who ordered a 24/7 shifting operation at the airport effective January 2011. Incumbent Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon also supports 24/7 shifting operations as part of P-Noy’s ‘matuwid na daan’ so it was a surprise when airport customs recently sent new billings for overtime, meals and transportation,” Agabin said.