San Miguel Corporation commits to keep Caticlan airport staff

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Corp. (SMC), which operates the Boracay Airport in Caticlan, has committed to keep all workers and regular employees at the airport, despite the expected slowdown in passenger traffic amid the island’s closure.

“We will retain all of them to make sure they have steady source of income during the closure,” SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang said in a statement yesterday.

During the island’s six-month closure from April 26, Boracay airport’s workers and regular employees will receive their full salary.

Ang said the company would also offer workers a chance to remain productive by helping in the government’s cleanup program.

To help hasten rehabilitation efforts in Boracay, Ang has volunteered to allow government to use the company’s dredging equipment, backhoes and barges.

“The airport won’t be requiring full manpower while Boracay is totally closed to tourists, so we are looking to encourage all our workers to help the government during the lull,” Ang said.

As the island would be closed for rehabilitation, Ang said the company would work on a plan to turn  Boracay airport into a green gateway and help in government’s effort to rehabilitate the island and turn it into a sustainable tourist destination.