AVIATION Alvarez chides Cebu Pacific

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez yesterday scolded the president of flag carrier Cebu Pacific Air over alleged cost-cutting practices that have endangered passengers with disabilities, senior citizens and children.

Among these alleged practices is the non-use of the passenger boarding bridge.

During the hearing of the House transportation committee Alvarez accused Cebu Pacific of putting higher priority on making profit than ensuring the convenience of its clients.

“I’ve seen it myself. May tube, hindi ninyo ginamit. Kawawa yung pasahero dala-dala yung anak. Umuulan, basang basa yung bata. Pinagalitan ko yung flight attendant.

Sabi niya, Sir, wala akong magagawa. Yun ang utos ng management, hindi gagamit ng tube, (You don’t use the tube. Passengers have to carry their children. It was raining and the child got wet. I scolded the flight attendant but she said there was nothing she could do because this was the instruction of the management),” Alvarez said.

He said that it is uncomfortable for senior citizens, the disabled and those who are sick to keep climbing stairs.

“Ang concern lang nila is profit, dahil nga mura nga naman yung babayaran nila: parking fee lang, walang tacking fee (They are only concerned about their profits because they will only pay for the parking fee),” Alvarez added.

Cebu Pacific president Lance Gokongwei, in response, said it is not the policy of Cebu Pacific to not use the passenger bridge.

He said the non-use of such will only be allowed if there is no availble passenger bridge. Gokongwei also said that the priority of Cebu Pacific is the safety and convenience of the passengers.

Alvarez refused to buy Gokongwei’s explanation. “That’s a lie. Maybe if you’re telling the truth, you can start firing your operations manager,” Alvarez said.

He noted that Cebu Pacific is the only airline which does not use a boarding bridge.

“PAL (Philippine Airlines) is not doing that, Air Asia is not doing that,” said Alvarez.

Alvarez also accused Cebu Pacific of not providing refund for the payment of its passengers who failed to board its flights.

He chided the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the Manila International Airport Authorty for allowing the practice of Cebu Pacific. He stressed that the regulatory agencies should make sure that the airlines are prioritizing the safety and convenience of the public. /