Former PAL workers continue with protest

CEBU, Philippines - Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza hopes the protest being staged by former employees of Philippine Air Lines at the checkpoint area in barangay Pusok will remain peaceful. The protest is on its 7th day today.

In her regular press conference, Radaza said she respects the concerns of the former PAL workers but she wants peace and order observed.

"Ang concern lang gayud nato sa dakbayan sa Lapu-Lapu mao nga mapatigbabaw gayud ang kahusay ug ingon man ang kalinaw," she said.

The Lapu-Lapu City police department is closely monitoring the protest action considering that other labor groups and militant organizations are involved.

City police chief Senior Superintendent Anthony Obenza said nothing is wrong with airing one's grievances as long as its done peacefully.

Staging the protest are former PAL employees who have refused to accept the airline's offer.

PAL's new policy of outsourcing employees will affect 2,600 of them, 206 of which come from the Mactan airport.

Although some workers have accepted the offer, 10 of them have declined it, including Eutiquio Bulambot, who has been with the company for more than 35 years.

Bulambot, who is also a member of the board of the PAL Employees Association, said the protest will continue until management accepts their demands. - THE FREEMAN