Strike continues to cripple PAL

CEBU, Philippines - Flights of the Philippines Air Lines (PAL) from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport bound for Manila, Davao and other destinations were delayed or cancelled as an effect of the sudden strike held by the airline’s ground crew last Tuesday.

Worse, the delays and cancellations of flights are not only being experienced by the country’s flag carrier but also by the Air Philippines, which is also owned by businessman Lucio Tan.

The Public Affairs Division of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, in a news advisory, said that at least eight PAL flights from Mactan to Manila and Manila for Mactan were cancelled while some PAL flights scheduled yesterday morning were also delayed. Two flights of the Air Philippines for Manila and Davao yesterday were also delayed.

Mactan Airport General Manager Paul Nigel Villarete directed airport personnel to facilitate and assist the affected passengers so they could be accommodated by other airlines.

Villarete assured the riding public that the Mactan Airport will address their concerns, in coordination with PAL and other airline companies.

Security measures were also strengthened by Mactan Airport officials alongside the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office and other law enforcement agencies.

Some of the employees of PAL based in Mactan said they will continue to support their co-workers in Manila.

Eutiguio Bulambot, a PAL employee for more than 35 years now and a board member of the PAL Employees Association, admitted that 90 percent of all employees in Mactan have accepted the offer of the management.

According to Bulambot, even if they are merely ten percent of the total number of employees, they will continue to “seek justice.”

Bulambot said they will hold a series of rallies at the checkpoint of the Mactan Airport this week with the support of other labor organizations in Cebu.

He stressed that they are against the contractualization that PAL will implement starting this October. —/JPM (FREEMAN)