Mindanao Transco employees no longer worried over job security

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — Employees of the National Transmission Corp. (Transco) in Mindanao, numbering over a thousand, are no longer worried over the company’s impending privatization, a ranking Transco workers association leader told local media. In a media forum initiated by the regional office of the National Economic Development Authority, Rufino T. Magbanua, Transco corporate communications officer of the North Central Mindanao Area and vice-president for external affairs of Mindanao Transco Employees Association, said job security is almost assured for employees except for those retiring and those who have chosen to migrate abroad. Mr. Magbanua noted that the problem they are facing now is high rate of piracy involving linesmen and engineers. In recent months, he said, many of their workers have been lured to work abroad for firms in Hong Kong and Australia as well as in Europe. He noted the workers’ association has been conducting an information drive on the current situation of employees in the company. In a new provision of the Senate bill related to Transco’s privatization introduced by Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, a 165-day transition period is given to the National Grid Corp. to "assume all responsibility of hiring existing employees of Transco." National Grid Corp. is a consortium of Monte Oro Grid Resources Corp. and the State Grid of Hong Kong that would take over the operation of Transco. Mr. Magbanua said the current version of the bill includes prioritizing Transco employees because of technical capabilities and expertise over new applicants. "All current employees shall be granted benefits by the concessionaire," he said. Although the transition period will give the concessionaire the authority and decision to select employees it would re-hire, he said the association is not worried. "We are not worried about not being absorbed as employees of the National Grid Corp. The concessionaire needs technical people," he said. As of the moment, Transco is looking for grid facility upgrades in their three plants nationwide. The National Grid Corp., will provide the government $3.95 billion to operate the country’s power transmission system for 25 years, with $1 billion as initial installment. It is expected to pay the remaining $2.95 billion in the next 10 years and is mandated to pay the 3% franchise tax from its gross earnings and offer 20% of its shares of stock to the public. — Penny Lyn P. Cunanan, BusinessWorld