NAIA utility workers to keep jobs, says DOTC chief

Utility workers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) will not lose their jobs even when airline companies assume the responsibility of maintaining the public restrooms in the terminals, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) clarified on Sunday.

"MIAA assures termination not the end of janitors' jobs at NAIA. They will be realigned to fill ± 150 utility jobs needed in other areas in the airport not covered by airlines. With better labor terms," department spokesperson Cherie F. Mercado said in a statement on Sunday.

To recall, airline companies—Cebu Pacific, AirAsia Philippines, Philippine Airlines, among others—earlier this month signed a memorandum of agreement with the government to improve and maintain airport toilets and utilities.

"The reabsorption will make sure benefits not present before will be given to the employees to avoid the typical pitfalls of a 5-5-5 endo agreement," the statement read, noting that "high service standards expected."

According to Mercado, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal will be meeting with the affected personnel on Monday morning to explain the process of realignment to them.

The development comes after Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade noted the disappointing service quality of the maintenance of the airport's utilities, which used to be bid out.

"So it has come to me that one way to approach this is to remove that activity from government and give it to the people that are operating in the airport," he said. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News