Aquino urged not to meddle in settlement of Pantranco workers’ labor row

MANILA, Philippines – Members of the Pantranco Employees Association (PEA) appealed to President Benigno Aquino III not to stop the payment of their claims from the bus company that closed down more than two decades ago.

“Mr. President ito na siguro yung time na pagbigyan naman time na pagbigyan naman kami kasi mahirap na ang buhay. Ngayon nagkaroon na ng katuparan pero di pa yata matutuloy. Tulungan nyo po kami,” Jun Pascua, president of PEA told Radyo Inquirer 990AM Friday.

Pantranco North Express Inc. (PNEI), which was owned and controlled by the government, closed down in the late ‘80s, displacing over 2000 employees.

The National Labor Relations Commission ordered the payment of the workers’ claims using the money that could be raised from the sale of the bus firm’s franchise, its only remaining asset.

Transportation Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas had suspended the awarding by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board of Pantranco’s franchise to a private buyer, questioning the legality of the move.

But Pascua pointed out that there were documents showing that the sale was valid.

He said they have consulted both the Presidential Commission on Good Government and the NLRC, which both agreed that they could use the proceeds from the sale of the franchise as payment for the claims of the Pantranco employees.