MIAA employees to keep jobs post turnover

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The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has assured employees of Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) will not be displaced once the government turns over the operation and maintenance of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to the private consortium, SMC-SAP Inc., in the second half of the year.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said part of the concession agreement between the DOTr and SMC-SAP is that MIAA personnel will keep their jobs, be it a regular employee, contract of service or job order.

“Part of the concession agreement is for the concessionaire to offer positions to existing employees of Manila International Airport Authority,” Bautista said during the agency’s 42nd anniversary on Friday.

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The transport chief reiterated that the incoming concessionaire will prioritize hiring current employees, adding that it will offer jobs to employees involved in operations.

MIAA employees not involved in operations, on the other hand, will remain with the agency, according to Bautista.

“If you believe you have a particular skill set necessary to keep this airport functioning, you have no reason to be anxious,” he said.

According to Bautista, MIAA will focus on being an airport regulator while the concessionaire will be in charge of the operation and maintenance of NAIA.

“The whole exercise is intended to modernize NAIA, bring it in step with global aviation transformation,” Bautista said.

Bautista then urged MIAA employees to help the government in restoring NAIA’s reputation as one of the world’s premier gateways.

“We need to reverse NAIA’s world’s worst airport repute. That needs to happen fast. Make sure you have the right morals and values when the transition starts,” he said.

Last month, DOTr issued the notice of award to the consortium composed of San Miguel Corp., RMN Asian Logistics, RLW Aviation and Incheon International Airport Corp. for a P170.6 billion NAIA modernization project.

The signing of the concession agreement is set on March 18, while turnover of the operation and maintenance is expected in the next three to six months or by September this year, according to DOTr.

The new operator of NAIA is expected to infuse over P202 billion for the 25-year concession period, while the national government anticipates P900 billion in earnings. – Myla Iglesias

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