Displaced residents seek airport manager's ouster
Java
Members of the New Iloilo Airport Project Affected People's Association (Niapapa) based in Brgy. Banguit, Cabatuan, Iloilo have asked the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas to dismiss Iloilo Airport Manager Allan Java from office for his failure to abide by the provisions contained in the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) relative to the airport project stating that the displaced residents should be given priority in hiring workers at the airport.
In a letter complaint signed by Virgilio Juliaga, Joseph Gange, Beltran Choresca, Uldarico Choresca, and Jose Baltazar Choresca which was received by the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas - Iloilo Regional Office last September 17, 2008, they claimed that Java intentionally ignored their group's plea for employment although they have complied with the requirements stated in the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between their group and the Department of Transportation and Communications.
The group cited Section 5.1 of the Environmental Management Plan stating that: "Availability of construction jobs to local residents -- Qualified residents will be given priority in hiring. Training skills to be provided by proponent to potential candidates...
"Availability of employment both at the airport and other business establishments that will open as a result of the airport... Encourage locals to organize themselves by giving them skills, training and training on micro-enterprise..."
They said that because of the said provisions contained in the MOA Niapapa was organized and the members thereof have undergone various skills training programs at the Western Visayas College of Science and Technology between the period of December 18-29, 2006.
"During the period after the completion of the same training programs," complainants said, "various positions were vacant and available that require the skills for which the herein complainants are well-suited and qualified particularly on Janitorial and Building Maintenance, Services"
But the complainants claimed that "(d)espite (of) the opening and availability of these work positions, respondent never considered, as he ignored its responsibility and obligation to employ the herein already trained and qualified complainants."
They allegedly made various representations, both oral and written, with the Iloilo Airport Manager to insist on their demand for employment as provided in the MOA but Java allegedly "willfully and intentionally refused to even acknowledge in writing" their pleas.
Ironically, when complainants brought their concern to Engr. Eduardo Mangalili, DOTC Project Manager of the then New Iloilo Airport Development Project, the latter acknowledged their demand saying that "such as commitment has been included in the post-construction conditions of the EMP as embodied in the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) No. 9910-160-21 granted to DOTC by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources."
"Worst, instead of hiring the herein complainants it is of public knowledge that respondent in fact and in truth hired others from Iloilo City to the position that is believed the complainants were rigorously trained and already have the skills suited and qualified for the same work and position," they added.
The complainants also noted that when typhoon Frank hit and devastated Panay, where most of the members' homes and remaining precious positions were either lost and totally damaged Java "never extended any helping hand or assistance nor relayed to the affected a semblance of concern for assistance by way of employment or other means of economic activity that could meet even the daily subsistence of the individual family members of the complainants.
The News Today tried to reach Mr. Java for his reaction on the complaint against him but efforts turned futile as of press time.