CLARK FREEPORT — Amid threat of some 350 of its employees facing joblessness, the Clark International Air- port Corp. (CIAC) assured them yesterday of “a just, fair and lawful severance package as a private consortium takes over the airport’s operations and maintenance (O&M) this year.”
“CIAC management will work towards ensuring job security or the severance package of CIAC personnel to be affected. All employees will have an attractive re tirement package (and) personnel affected will be rehired by the O&M entity,” CIAC president Jaime Melo said.
Earlier, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), in partnership with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), said it awarded the O&M contract for the Clark International Airport to a consortium, the North Luzon Airport Consortium (NLAC) which reportedly includes Changi Airport Group, which is stressed as “operator of the number one airport in the world.”
“This was after the National Economic and Development Authority Investment Coordination Committee (NEDA-ICC) confirmed the award in its last meeting of the year held December 19,” the BCDA said in a statement amid allegations the bidding was rigged in favor of NLAC.
Amid lack of assurance that NLAC would take in some 160 CIAC workers assigned directly at the 800-hectare airport facility, Melo said “we humbly ask for patience and hope these assurances will assuage the sentiment vote held last week by rank and file employees.”
In a recent press briefing, Melo said CIAC will continue to manage the rest of the 3,200-hectare area outside the 899-hectare airport.
This area includes the Clark Logistics City where The Medical City and other firms pay lease to CIAC.
Out of 360 CIAC employees, only 160 are to be directly affected by NLAC’s takeover of the airport facility, but an employee said more are likely to face joblessness as CIAC’s income to sustain personnel expenditure mostly derived from airport operations.
This, as CIAC management cited “an ongoing labor mediation and negotiations facilitated by the National Conciliation and Mediation Board.”
“CIAC management or any of its personnel have never coerced or intimidated union members,” Melo said, contrary to allegations of CIAC union officers.
He assured the public that “airport operations will continue unhampered and the safety and security of the riding public will be of utmost priority.”
