Government makes contingency plans to address possible PAL strike
The government is mapping out contingency plans should the flight attendants pursue their planned strike in case they fail to reach a settlement with the management of Philippine Airlines.
The said plans are intended to prevent any disruption to the riding public, which President Benigno S. Aquino III earlier vowed to protect from inconvenience and inability to reach their destinations.
Transportation and Communication Secretary Jose “Ping” de Jesus said in an interview over Radyo ng Bayan that the President has appealed to both parties to try to reach a settlement so as not to disrupt service to airline commuters.
Only last Friday at Sangley Point, the President reiterated his warning to impose open skies, or allow other foreign airlines to serve the routes of PAL, should the disagreeing parties not resolve their differences soon.
The Flight Attendants union earlier filed a notice of strike before the Department of Labor and Employment, which has yet to be acted on by the agency.
Between now and the time the motion for strike is decided on, the government is exerting its best to make both parties reach a settlement so that their flight schedules will not be compromised, de Jesus said.
Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa is now also involved in looking for a solution to the PAL management and labor union problem.
“We have been meeting to craft a contingency plan that will be in effect should both parties fail to settle,” de Jesus added.
As to PAL management’s position that the open skies policy will not do good for the country, de Jesus said “that is their position. Ours is just that we will do whatever is necessary to protect the riding public.” (PCOO)
Government eyes MRT/LRT discounts for student commuters
The Aquino administration is studying seriously granting student fare discounts in the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) systems, similar to what it currently grants to senior citizens.
This possibility was brought up by Transportation and Communication Secretary Jose “Ping” de Jesus in an interview over Radyo ng Bayan this morning where he also said that consultations will be held to get the suggestions from the riding public.
The proposed fare hikes for these rail systems is intended to reduce the subsidies granted by government for their operations so that the savings can be used to fund more important social services programs to mitigate hunger incidence, create jobs and support the public education system, de Jesus said.
He cited the tight budget which prompted the government to study increasing fares in both rail systems, which, however, will be based on suggestions from the riding public.
In this connection, he said, the government is encouraging the concerned sectors, particularly the commuters and the oppositors, to voice their positions on the issue in the consultations to be set by the DOTC.
“We are studying the best policy to provide better services to the commuters and at the same time improving the delivery of basic services to the majority of the Filipino people,” de Jesus added. (PCOO)
