Pantalan seeks restoration of ‘usual’ mid-year benefits

Last week, I had a long talk with Jerome Balisi, president of  the Pambansang Tinig at Lakas sa Pantalan (Pantalan) regarding the organization’s  appeal to government authorities for the grant of the 2013 mid-year benefits to all Philippine Port Authority (PPA) officers and employees, which are equivalent to the one-month mid-year bonus.

He said that the sudden suspension of all these usual benefits has adversely affected the lives of the 2,100 PPA employees and their families. He earnestly appealed to the PPA management, through General Manager Juan Sta. Ana, to submit a formal appeal to President Aquino “for the post facto and continuing approval for the grant of incentives/benefits to PPA employees.”

There is no denying employees’ benefits play an important role in the lives of the employees themselves and their families. These benefits have always provided financial protection to them in emergency cases like illness or death. They also serve as morale and efficiency boosters to employees, making them more effective and productive in their work. And of course, these benefits would also be considered as a market and recruitment tool to attract would-be qualified employees who are skilled and competent.

I share the sentiments of the Pantalan national officers who are moving heaven and earth to convince the national government to restore the usual benefits of the PPA employees. I am confident that President Aquino is considerate enough to heed this plea.

—REGINALD B. TAMAYO,

assistant city council secretary,

Marikina City