Workers protest proposed PNCC takeover by Malaysian firm

MANILA, Philippines - About 1,000 workers might lose their jobs this Christmas if the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) allows a Malaysian-backed company to take over the operations of the Philippine National Construction Corporation (PNCC).

James Tamayo, PNCC Toll Operations Employees Union president, said the impending takeover of the Manila Tollway Express Systems (MATES) of PNCC operations is illegal.

“What they are trying to do is a ‘kangaroo-type’ of takeover, something which is sudden and which violates a prior agreement,” he said.

“The final demand letter signed by TRB executive director Manuel Imperial is illegal since there was no approval by all the board members.”

Tamayo said they will only welcome the takeover if the Supplemental Toll Operations Agreement or STOA is followed.

A takeover of the PNCC operation is only possible if “at least 95 percent of existing toll works for relevant toll road or segment project, have been completed,” he said.

Tamayo said TRB executive director Manuel Imperial should be removed from his post for siding with MATES.

 “The Board of Directors of TRB has caused the issuance of a Toll Operation Certificate (TOC) to MATES for its immediate operation of the existing SLEX thereby effectively revoking the previous TOC granted to PNCC,” he said.       

A Pasig court granted yesterday afternoon the request of the workers for a 72-hour temporary restraining order.

In a letter to PNCC president and CEO Ma. Theresa Defensor-Asuncion, Imperial said Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita through a memorandum has directed the TRB to immediately grant MATES the authority to operate and maintain the existing SLEX, Tamayo said.   – Rhodina Villanueva