The Philippine Airlines denied reports that the Visayas-wide hiring of cabin crew and pilots is related to the ongoing labor dispute between the management and former ground crew employees.

PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said the jobs fair is part of the company’s effort towards strengthening and developing the services it provides, and the recruitment is for cabin crew and pilot; and not for ground crew.

The company conducted a three-day jobs fair in Dumaguete City early this week. It will also accept applicants at Sugarland Hotel in Bacolod City, November 16 to 18, and in Iloilo City on November 23 to 25.

She said the company decided to bring the jobs fair to the provinces to reach out to more applicants, and said they considered Dumaguete one of the best sources for cabin crew, being the “university city” in the south.

Those accepted will undergo final interview in Manila before being trained for three months. Successful trainees will be subjected to a one year probationary period involving domestic flights.

Villaluna, meanwhile, said the company will assess if one more flight will be added to the Dumaguete-Manila route following requests from businessmen and local officials.

She said this will determine the number of flights vis-à-vis demand and the need for such destinations in terms of people and cargo.

The Dumaguete-Manila route has five flights daily, and one to Cebu.

Rep. Pryde Henry Teves (Neg. Or., 3rd District) said more flights would mean that the tourism industry in the province is working. This has been proven in Bacolod, Davao, Iloilo, Boracay and Bohol, he added.

Rep. George Arnaiz (2nd District) said there were no flights during his term as governor in 1988. The five flights mean that the province has done something to improve the tourism industry, he added.

Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria said additional air travels to Dumaguete and Negros would be better in terms of economic activity, and said he is optimistic that this will come soon.*JG/MA

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