Airport workers sacked

CLARK FREEPORT - - Seven contractual employees working at Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) were sacked after they were found involved in the illegal collection of travel tax from passengers.

The workers, whose names were withheld, belonged to the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza), Miascor Ground Handling, and McKleene janitorial services. CIAC officials dismissed the three Tieza workers, three Miascor workers and a McKleene janitor after they were allegedly caught conniving and exacting discounted travel tax of P1,200 from some passengers. The CIAC management immediately ordered an investigation to establish the extent of the scam.

TIEZA has set the travel tax at P1,620 per passenger, the CIAC stated.

CIAC president and CEO Victor Jose Luciano said the access passes of two other erring employees have been revoked pending the investigation.

The PNP-Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEGroup) is handling the ongoing investigation, said Luciano.

He also clarified that “there is no such discount being offered at the Clark airport. The travel tax of P1,620 is being collected by Tieza (formerly Philippine Tourism Authority) from Filipinos travelling abroad.”

Luciano had earlier recommended to Tieza and Miascor to investigate such illegal activities after he received reports that some of their personnel were allegedly involved in the travel tax scam.

The scam was uncovered when three passengers of a Cebu Pacific flight filed complaints on April 22, 2014 about airport employees offering travel tax discounts.

“We are warning personnel working at the Clark airport to refrain from engaging in any illegal activities because these will not be tolerated and the guilty one will be punished,” Luciano said.

He even urged passengers to report irregularities and illegal activities inside the aviation complex. (REYNALDO G. NAVALES)