By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Cognizant of the existential anguish that some personnel of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) could be experiencing with the upcoming turnover of the operations and maintenance of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to the private sector, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista has reassured that none of them will be displaced.
The DOTr released the statement on Saturday (09 March 2024) after the DOTr chief reiterated to the MIAA staff that no employee will be displaced during the agency’s 42nd anniversary on Friday (08 March 2024).
“Part of the concession agreement is for the concessionaire to offer positions to existing employees of Manila International Airport Authority,” Bautista said.
DOTr Undersecretary for Planning and Project Development Timothy John Batan had earlier said that the private group that bagged the concession deal to take over NAIA’s operations is required to offer jobs to the current workers of the airport to ensure no job losses would result from the privatization initiative.
“Be it regular employees, contract of service or job order. Ibig sabihin, walang mawawalan ng trabaho dito,” Bautista vowed.
To recall, last February, the DOTr announced that SMC-SAP & Company Consortium won the 15-year concession deal to rehabilitate, operate, and expand NAIA, with an option for a 10-year extension depending on the performance of the concessionaire.
The winning group is made up of San Miguel Holdings Corp., RMM Asian Logistics Inc., RLW Aviation Development Inc., and Incheon International Airport Corp.
During the announcement of the winning bidder, Bautista had also promised that no jobs would be lost when SMC-SAP group takes over NAIA as “employees will be absorbed” and some will be retained by the MIAA, which will remain as the regulator of the airport.
(el Amigo/MNM)
