DOLE, MCIAA inks airport workers’ safety agreement

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office-7 and the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding which aims to implement occupational safety regulations in the airport.

DOLE-7 Assistant Regional Director Lilia Estillore said under the area-wide Kapatiran Program of DOLE, labor laws pertaining to the safety of workers will be enforced in all areas of the airport.

She said under the MOU, all airport operators are obliged to abide by the laws on safety of the personnel.

“Objective ani niya primarily, walay ma-aksidente nga mahitabo anang lugara, and tanan nga mga trabahante niana makadawat gyod sa ilang legal nga dawatonon (base) sa balaod,” she said.

MCIAA General Manager Nigel Paul Villarete said he is happy that the agreement was inked between the two offices, adding that safety is the top priority in a workplace like an airport.

“We are thankful to DOLE for this. What we are aiming is not only to be the first in comes to aviation safety, but we’ll be first in terms of safety all around of our employees, of the workers of our concessioners, airlines, and cargo handlers and all other support industries,” he said.

Villarete said the program’s objective is not just to lift the safety of the workers in the airport, but also to elevate the protection of small businesses inside and outside the landing field.

“Because of this MOU, we go into a small brother and big brother program, so that it will not only MCIAA who will not be making its mark and try safety in the workplace but also industries around the airport,” he said.

He added that all agencies and concessioners in the airport have already been informed regarding the occupational safety regulation mandated by DOLE-7 because they are also signatories to the MOU. (FREEMAN)