Mabalacat City – Indignant workers of the Clark International Airport Corporation, operating arm of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, are still opposing the privatization scheme that would possibly uproot them from their jobs.
Manuel Bañez, president of Samahan ng mga Manggagawa ng Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (SMD), said the government should stop the impending privatization of the Clark airport because it would affect their source of livelihood.
Banes represents some 315 employees of the CIAC. There are also 152 agency-hired security guards, 103 support staffers, 75 janitors and 30 project-based workers.
The privatization of Clark airport would need Congress approval, according to President Rodrigo Duterte. “Nothing is final yet. It has to be the decision of Congress and the Cabinet. It’s always a joint effort.”
“No one in this government can say what will happen or what. You have to contend with the government itself because Congress is likewise there to protect the interest of the people and the money. Remember it costs us money to build it,” Duterte said.
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has sought the approval of the National Economic and Development Authority board for a plan to privatize the airport operations. The contract for CRK’s operations and management is already set to be awarded on Aug. 30.