UPON hearing of an impending “takeover”, workers of the Clark International Airport Corp. staged a rally vehemently opposing a Kuwaiti firm from handling the operations of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport.

“I love CIAC,” “Save CIAC,” “Do not sell Philippine sovereignty” and “No to Al Kharafi” read the placards of the rallyists, who may lose their jobs in the event of a Kuwaiti takeover.

While the firm Al Kharafi merely wants to develop the airport, CIAC union president Marvin Pineda said the “deal” would be “disadvantageous” to the Philippine government.

The CIAC employees feel that fellow Filipinos are more capable in handling the airport, other than foreign nationals. 

For one, their proposal to construct the DMIA under a 70:30 ownership scheme, which is against Philippine laws that require a 60:40 sharing in favor of the Philippine government.

Although the said proposal was already junked by the CIAC Board, Chairman Nestor Mangio is adamant, saying President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is privy to the issue.

Who should be believed?

The CIAC employees are hoping against hope that the Board sticks to its decision not to entertain the Kuwaiti proposal. They really would not want more rallies taking place in their midst, which would affect their airport operations one way or the other.

We hope this issue is resolved the soonest possible time, for everyone’s piece of mind.