"Philippine airport workers vow to block Terminal 3"

Wednesday, May 22, 2002

Airport workers vow to block Terminal 3
United Kingdom - The London Financial Times


Airport workers vowed to block the opening of new Manila international
airport terminal in November.

Demosthenes Agan, president of Miascor Workers Union, explained the
impending action as a protest against the loss of jobs by more than
10,000 workers.

The loss of jobs is due to the monopoly of ground services in the new
terminal given to new contractor, Philippine Airport and Ground
Services.

"The plan to block Terminal 3's opening has been decided upon, and we
cannot be blamed for this because in so far as we are concerned, we have
tried to bring our problem to Malacanang but to no avail,"Romy Sauler, a
leader of another group supporting the protest move.

Ed Oredina said Philippine Airlines Employees Association is mobilizing
its 3,500 members to make sure the new terminal does not open in
November.

This, he said, is not simply because of the huge loss of jobs but of the
great loss of money by the government.

The workers have charged that the establishment of Terminal 3 is full of
financial irregularities.

Terminal 3 is intended to handle all international flights to and from
Manila. Terminal 1 will be converted into a hub for domestic operation
and Terminal 2 will be abandoned.

This is despite repeatedly announced government plan to make the
Diosdado Macapagal Airport in Clark, Pampanga as the new premiere
international airport.


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