Sacked employees of PNCC Skyway staged another protest rally at Bicutan interchange

Ma. Lourdes “ Miami ” Ebilane
January 7, 2008
Story: Sacked employees of PNCC Skyway staged another protest rally at Bicutan interchange

Sacked employees of Philippine National Construction Corporation (PNCC) continue to protest and held rally at the Bicutan interchange early Monday morning.

The employees started to assemble at around 7:00 in the morning at the office of the former Skyway operator, PNCC Skyway Corporation (PSC) then they marched to Bicutan interchange and stopped at the entrance of the Expressway Tollgate. Around 300 dismissed employees joined the rally. Employees said that they want their previous job to be back at them.

The employees are pushing for their reinstatement to their former post. The new operator of the Skyway is the Skyway Operations and Maintenance Corporation (SOMCO) who will manage the Skyway and the expressway from Nichols to Alabang.

Jose Apollo Ado, President of PNCC Skyway Corporations Employees Union (PSCEU) said that what is important for them is to have job security. Though he admitted that the compensation that they will get from their separation pay will be helpful for them, they are thinking for their future as well.

“Not all of us has served the company that long (10 years and above) some of those who were dismissed were recently hired or were only recently considered as regular employee, then because of the change of management they were also dismissed,” Ado said.

Wilfredo Cu, President of PNCC Skyway (former operator) said that the sacked employees will receive 250% of their basic salary plus their number of years of stay in the company.

Also, Chito Borromeo, officer-in-charge of the new operator SOMCO, said “If those employees really want their job back, why they do not apply for it?”

Borromeo also said that since there is a new management that will take over the company a new application is necessary whether they will be rehired or not.

The employees is questioning the need for them to re-apply for the job, insisting that the previous operator has their records, “They have our 201 file, and they can check it there. There is also an evaluation if they really want to make sure of our capabilities,” Ado said.

Meanwhile, Akbayan Partylist Rep. Risa Hontiveros joined the group on their rally and with their sentiments. She said that her partylist already file a resolution at the House of Representatives for an investigation on why around 800 employees were sacked.

“The question also here is why give the Skyway to Citra or to a new operator where in fact the Skyway is earning a lot of money because many motorists are using the Skyway and the Expressway,” Hontiveros said.

Hontiveros also want a job security for the employees who were dismissed.

The protesters already staged a rally last December 31, 2007, the day before the turnover of the Skyway. They were successful in disrupting the traffic when they walk from Bicutan to Nichols.

At the rally, Monday morning, they were not able to pass through the tollgate to enter the Expressway, because policemen are already at the area securing the place.

Parañaque Police Chief PSUPT. Ronald Estilles said they will be arrested if they will force to enter the Expressway. “We observe a Maximum tolerance here. We let them pronounce their sentiments because that is their right as long as they will not go beyond to the limits.”

At around 300 policemen were deployed at the area including the augmentation from Southern Police District. There were no heated arguments between the police and protesters.