PNR back to normal

The Philippine National Railways (PNR) has restored full operations of its Bicol Express and commuter trains after authorities dispersed 30 disgruntled employees who staged an illegal nine-day strike which cost the cash-strapped state-run company at least P4 million in lost earnings.

PNR general manager Jose Ma. Sarasola II said the illegal picket line was dispersed by police upon the request of Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza and the PNR board of directors.

Sarasola said train operations should have been resumed earlier, but it was postponed because some portions of the railway were flooded after Typhoon Chedeng. The PNR also needed more time for conciliation efforts by the Civil Service Commission.

Sarasola said the PNR may file appropriate charges against the strikers, led by Edgar Balayon, who was earlier dismissed due to alleged falsification of his employment records.

PNR officials tagged Balayon as the principal instigator of the illegal strike supposedly over PNR’s alleged failure to meet certain financial obligations accruing to the employees, notably the non-payment of premium contributions to the Government Service Insurance System amounting to about P500 million.

Sarasola assured the workers however, that the outstanding obligation would soon be settled with the forthcoming sale of a portion of the utility’s property in Tutuban, Tondo to the GSIS.

He also revealed that the more than 100 years old PNR has been operating at a loss despite a government subsidy, with 82 percent going to payroll and other workers’ benefits, as well as operational expenditures.