Pampanga kicks-off megalopolis project
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Pampanga government officials and various stakeholders hit the ground running yesterday after the 50-year development plan that is envisioned to optimize the potential of Pampanga as an urban growth center, as well as address the major issues and concerns it faces, was finally turned over to the provincial government here, kicking off the Pampanga megalopolis project.
Dubbed the “Pampanga Megalopolis Plan,” the comprehensive development plan made by renowned urban planner Architect Felino “Jun” Palafox, Jr.
development but asserted that the employees deserve to know all of the information regarding the impending privatization of the airport.
“We are not against the development of CIAC. Pero sana naman doon sa development ay kasama kaming mga malilit na manggagawa ng CIAC dahil halos dito na nakapag-establish ng career ang mga empleyado at halos po sa amin ay may pinag-aaral at marami pang utang at may edad na para humanap ng ibang mapapasukan na trabaho,” Banez said.
He said that some 273 rank and file employees, belonging to the DMIA workers union, stand to lose their jobs once the airport is privatized.
One of the group’s petitions includes the “retiring and rehiring of all employees.” They are also asking for a retirement rate of 2.5 of monthly salary multiplied by years in service. Aside from this, the workers are also praying for the reinstatement of their life insurance and health benefits.
Banez said that officials of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), which is under the leadership of Vivencio “Vince” Dizon, already relayed to the workers the airport privatization sans details particularly its commencement and time frame.
“Hindi po naming alam kung kailian, baka mabigla kami bukas wala na pala kaming mga trabaho,” Banez said.
The workers’leader made an assurance that their activities will not affect the normal operation of the airport as prayer rallies they conduct are during break times.
A source said that Dizon is set to meet with the affected airport next week.