No worker displaced by consortium’s takeover of Clark airport

By TED CORDERO, GMA News

Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) on Friday said that none of the airport’s workers lost their jobs after the consortium of Filinvest and JG Summit took over the air terminal's operations and maintenance (O&M).

“Technically no one was not absorbed by LIPAD,” CIAC president Jaime Melo told GMA News Online.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Bases Conversion Development Auhtority (BCDA) handed the certificate of notice to start O&M to Luzon International Premier Development Corp. (LIPAD).

LIPAD is the special purpose vehicle company established by the North Luzon Airport Consortium (NLAC) comprised of Gotianun-led Filinvest, Gokongwei's JG Summit, Changi Airport Philippines Pte. Ltd., and Philippine Airport Ground Solutions Inc.

The company will takeover the operations and maintenance of Clark International Airport for a concession period of 25 years.

Melo said around 215 Clark airport workers were affected by the LIPAD takeover.

“The 215 were offered employment by LIPAD but only 178 accepted the offer,” the CIAC chief said.

“The difference of 37 opted to take other employment, go into business or retire,” Melo said.

The CIAC said all affected employees will be compensated by the company as per rules of the Department of Labor and Employment.

On the sidelines of the turnover ceremony, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said all affected Clark airport employees will be compensated.

“Separation or retirement pay... computed on the basis of one and a half months per year of service,” Tugade said.

Those absorbed by LIPAD availed of retire-hire option while those who opted not to be absorbed by the private company availed of separation pay.

Tugade said those who were not absorbed by LIPAD will receive their separation pay on Monday.

“Tapos ‘yung mga natanggap bayaran at the end of the year,” the Transportation chief said.

The P5.61-billion contract for the O&M of the airport was awarded to the consortium on December 19.

The project involves the operations and maintenance of the existing and the new passenger terminal buildings being constructed on the airport located in the Clark Special Economic and Freeport Zone in Angeles City, Pampanga.

The Clark airport O&M was dubbed as a "hybrid" Public Private Partnership, wherein the government takes over the construction of a project and private firms may bid for the O&M. —NB, GMA News

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