Government to terminate contract with airport services provider
By Patrizia Paola C. Marcelo, Reporter
THE Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) will no longer renew its contract with Miascor Groundhandling Corp., following a reported incident of baggage theft.
MIAA General Manager Eddie V. Monreal said in a letter dated Jan. 19 to Miascor that its lease and concession agreement will no longer be renewed, adding that he had ordered the aviation services company to vacate within 60 days all premises occupied in the airport complex.
“We have issued non-renewal of license to operate. Hindi naman immediate (It’s not immediate)….We gave 60 days to wind down their operations so we have a smooth transition. Kailangan hindi sila ma-disrupt players sa airport (But other operations at the airport should not be disrupted),” Mr. Monreal said.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Thursday ordered the termination of the contract with Miascor following a luggage theft incident at the Clark International Airport.
“Sabihin mo talaga ‘yan sa Miascor na — gusto niyo kayo ang pumatay niyan? Kay ‘pag hindi, kayo ang bibirahin ko,” Mr. Duterte said on Thursday. (Tell Miascor — you want to kill him? Because if not, I’ll hit you.)
Passenger Jovinal dela Cruz, an overseas Filipino worker, went on social media to post about the pilferage of his belongings. Six Miascor employees assigned at Clark were terminated and now face administrative charges.
“So the President wants…to put a stop. S-T-O-P. kailangan huminto ang mga ganitong pangyayari…(These incidents should stop)” Mr. Monreal said in a press conference yesterday.
He said there were 26 reported incidents of pilfering in 2016 and seven, last year.
In a statement, Miascor Holdings, Inc. said it will appeal the decision for its employees. “We shall formally issue an appeal to the President to kindly reconsider his position on behalf of our almost 4,000 regular employees and their families who will be affected. It is unfortunate that the actions of six erring employees in Clark International Airport have negatively impacted the company,” the statement reads.
