Labor group raps Gordon over NAIA 3 opening schedule

A coalition of labor unions criticized Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon for trying to preempt the Supreme Court when he proposed that the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 be opened as scheduled in November despite the unresolved issues.

Ed Oredina, Scrap the Piatco Deal Coalition (Scrap) secretary general, said it was irresponsible and insensitive for Gordon to push for the NAIA 3 opening, knowing that Scrap has a pending case with the SC, which seeks to declare the Piatco contract null and void.

"Gordon should first allow the SC to decide on our petition before making such a proposal because the issue has an impact on several sectors, including the existing workers at the airport and passengers," Oredina said.

"Huwag niyang pangunahan ang Supreme Court. Hintayin natin kung ano ang magiging desisyon ng SC sa kaso namin," he said.

He said allowing the new airport to open amid unresolved issues is like encouraging corruption since it is already a public knowledge that the project was tainted with corruption, "which started during the Ramos administration, then the Estrada government and now the Arroyo administration."

It will also be unfair to passengers, he said, because under the Piatco contract, the passenger terminal fee is pegged at $20 or P1,040. At present, the terminal fee is P550.

"Managot muna ang dapat managot. Let the SC arrives at a decision first and the government panel reviewing the deal and the three Senate committees that investigated the contract comes up with recommendations before we finally open the new airport," Oredina stressed.

Scrap, made up of 20 labor unions, said in its petition with the SC that no less than Malacañang has declared the Piatco contract is disadvantageous to the government and the people because of its many onerous provisions.

One of the onerous provisions cited by Scrap is the retrenchment of thousands of workers at the NAIA Terminals 1 and 2 once the new airport starts operating in November.

Oredina said Gordon should not only look at tourism but also at the whole picture before stating his view on the Terminal 3 issue. "While we appreciate Gordon’s efforts to boost tourism, his position is parochial and selfish. "Kami man gusto namin lumakas ang turismo," he said.

He also chided Gordon for equating the new airport with tourism. "Even though we open the new airport as scheduled if the factors that discourage tourists are still there, like kidnappings, deteriorating peace and order, lack of infrastructure and poor image, no tourist will come," he stressed.

"Maganda nga yung airport, paglabas mo naman hindi ka safe, lubak lubak ang kalye, matrapik at walang ilaw sa poste, eh di wala rin," Oredina said.

He said Gordon should not worry about the influx of tourists if "Visit Philippines 2003" campaign would be successful because NAIA 1 and 2 could accommodate more than the visitors.

He stressed that Gordon should inhibit himself from participating in the Malacañang panel reviewing the Piatco contract for his "biased views" in favor of Piatco.