A LABOR union from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has distanced itself from another group that has been critical of the privatization of NAIA.
In a statement, the Samahang Manggagawa sa Paliparan ng Pilipinas (SMPP), which said that it is the accredited labor union of the airport, said that it is not connected in any way with the group PUSO ng NAIA.
“The SMPP is not in any way connected or affiliated officially or otherwise with the said group,” the union said.
It added: “The issues and concerns being raised by the petitioners before the Supreme Court are not a union concern. We categorically deny any involvement therein.”
PUSO ng NAIA earlier challenged the NAIA privatization before the Supreme Court, and has even asked the Independent Commission on Infrastructure to probe the concession deal with a San Miguel Corp-led consortium.
The SMPP said it is a legitimate government employees’ union duly registered under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and accredited by the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
It said it had not authorized the use of its name or representation in any petition filed before the Supreme Court.
The SMPP also said consultations were held between the management of the Manila International Airport Authority and the union during the development stage of the Public-Private Partnership and before the turnover of operations to the New NAIA infra Corp (NNIC) in September 2024.
The NNIC, composed of San Miguel Holdings Corp., RMM Asian Logistics, RLW Aviation Development, and Incheon International Airport Corp., won the contract in 2024 to rehabilitate and operate NAIA. (ABS-CBN News)
