Airport employees protest delayed bonus pay

MANILA, Philippines—Some 300 employees of the Manila International Airport Authority staged a protest Friday to criticize the government’s alleged inaction on the release of their bonuses and incentives.

Wearing black shirts or black arm bands, the employees held the mass action in front of the MIAA office during their lunch break.

According to Roy Quismorio, head of the 800-member Samahang Manggagawa ng Paliparan ng Pilipinas, they have yet to receive the remaining half of their four-month yearend bonus and Collective Negotiation Agreement incentive benefit.

He said the first half of their yearend bonus was released to them on Dec. 2, 2011.

“The closing of the year 2011 has been very difficult and trying times [for] the MIAA employees, as we failed to receive the second half of our expected yearend benefits.” Quismorio said.

“Complaints and grievances from our co-employees were received by the SMPP and many are hoping that some miracle may happen to augment their financial needs during the Yuletide season.” he added.

Sought for comment, MIAA general manager Jose Angel Honrado explained that the paperwork to release the other half of the bonus is still being processed by the Governance Commission on Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations (GCG).

“We have to follow the process here. We cannot just release the funds without written approval from the GCG,” Honrado said. ”We have already done our part in requesting from the GCG the release of the yearend benefits. There is nothing I could do until the GCG approves the release of the funds,” Honrado.

He said not only the MIAA employees were affected by the delay.

“They have to remember that all employees of GOCCs (government-owned or -controlled corporations) are also waiting for the release of their bonuses. In fact, I am also waiting for its release.” Honrado said.

Honrado said he already signed in December the release of the CNA incentive benefits but is still awaiting approval by the MIAA Board. He gave the assurance that employees will receive the benefit once the board approves its release.