CIAC workers want Luciano to keep post

By Albert B. Lacanlale

CLARK FREEPORT—Employees at the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) have declared full support to their President and CEO Victor Jose I. Luciano in a bid to sustain development at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA).

In a manifesto of support, managers, assistant managers, rank and file and even non-organic employees of CIAC, the operating arm of DMIA, said that Luciano is still needed to continue the progress in the Clark airport.

Luciano got massive support from CIAC employees belittling allegations by two CIAC board members and a Pampanga town mayo that the top honcho of DMIA no longer enjoys the support of employees under his watch.

The broad support came from CIAC’s Security Department, Emergency Services Department, Airport Operations Department, Corporate Planning, Corporate Communications and the Airport Security Intelligence Office (ASIO).

Majority of the CIAC managers, assistant managers and rank and file employees have signed the manifesto of support. Those who were not able to sign the document were mostly absent when the manifesto was signed.

The department heads and rank and file noted that under Luciano’s leadership, the salaries had been improved to “competitive levels” while CIAC itself had adopted a strong corporate citizenship. Luciano had been instrumental to the start of international commercial passenger flights at the DMIA with the entry of South Korea’s Asiana Airlines in 2004.

“Malayo pa rin ang agwat ng sahod naming kumpara sa dati naming tinatanggap, at iyan ay dahil sa magaling na pamumuno ni Mr. Luciano,” the statement said.

The statement indicated that Luciano had done so much for the development of the Clark airport and the welfare of airport employees.

Siya po at taong may integridad at tunay na may malasakit sa kapakanan ng mga employado at bilang isang tunay na Kapampangan, maganda and kaniyang panukala para sa pag-unlad ng aming paliparan. Patunay ang mga parangal na natanggap ni Mr. Luciano sa kaniyang wasto at matalinong pamumuno sa CIAC,” the statement read.

The workers also laughed off “black propaganda” being waged by some politicians in Pampanga against Luciano.

“Kami pong mga empleyado…ay lubos na nalulungkot sa mga kaganapan sa aming kumpanya na kung saan walang patumanggang sinisiraan an gaming pinuno..Sa totoo lang, ang taong kanilang sinisiraan para pang-personal na kapakanan, ay siyang naging susi na nagbukas sa pinto ng kaunlaran at pagbabago sa CIAC,” they said.

The statement said that the move to improve the airport “is not an easy walk in the park but Luciano’s untiring effort to develop the airport had brought in positive changes.”

Luciano had been voted as one of the Outstanding Kapampangans last year. He is also a recipient of the Asian Institute of Management’s Triple A Award for his contribution to the airport industry that generated positive developments not only in the Clark Freeport Zone but also in the entire country.

The Clark airport now plays host to other airlines such as Malaysia’s Air Asia, Singapore’s Tiger Airways, Cebu Pacific, Seair and Pacific Flier. More airlines such as Jin Air and Air Busan seriously consider locating in the Clark airport.

The DMIA recently became the refuge of incoming local and international flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) due to poor visibility in Manila and the airport’s obsolete navigational aids.