Operation and maintenance of the Clark International Airport

Wazzup Pilipinas!

This is to clarify the points raised in an article published by Mr. Max Sangil (Sunstar Pampanga, 2020), wherein he questioned several aspects in the operation and maintenance of the Clark International Airport (CIA).

In his article he commented that the “take over” of the airport by Luzon International Premier Airport Development (LIPAD) came at a time when the airport is already viable.

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), the Implementing Agency of the Project, has long-planned the bid out of the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) of the existing and new Clark International Airport passenger terminal, the first hybrid public-private partnership (PPP) model under the Duterte administration. It is but natural to bid it at a time when it is viable to attract more bidders and thus result in higher bids. The Project was approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and the concession agreement is aboveboard.

The privatization of the O&M, a practice recognized world-wide, was aimed at building government’s asset base, and at the same time, infuse funds for the operations and maintenance of the airport, which will be an additional responsibility for government if not for the concession agreement.

With the O&M Concession Agreement, government, through the BCDA as the implementing agency, receives 18.25 percent revenue share and the 500 million pesos yearly lumpsum payment for 20 years from the bid.

Further, ownership and possession of the commercial assets developed shall be transferred to BCDA at the Termination/Transfer Date.

Thus, the terms and conditions of the O&M are favorable to the government, especially now that the country is dealing with the impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the economy.

On the issue that the oversight function of Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) was removed, the Agency’s mandate is still there through the DOTr, with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Office for Transportation Security (OTS). DOTr, CAAP, and OTS are in constant communication with CIAC President and Chief Executive Officer Aaron Aquino, explaining therein the background and rationale for such arrangements.

Let it be clear that the safety, security, and oversight functions shall not be waived by the government. Safety will be handled by CAAP, while Security will be handled by OTS.

It is unfortunate that Mr. Sangil chose to publish his article when the current administration’s plan is about to be realized with the opening of the Clark International Airport PTB 2 next year. This will greatly benefit the people of Pampanga and its neighboring provinces due to its multiplier effects. We cannot help but question Mr. Sangil’s motive, especially now that the progress envisioned for the Agency and the airport he once served is on the horizon.

United City Football Club (UCFC) caps its full roster with Anthony Pinthus

Wazzup Pilipinas!

United City Football Club (UCFC) caps its full roster announcement, ahead of the FIFA transfer window deadline this week, with the signing of 22-year old Fil-Swiss goalkeeper — Anthony Pinthus from the Azkals Development Team (ADT), who also served as a goalkeeper for the Philippine Under-23 National Men's Football Team, during the 30th South East Asian Games (SEA Games) campaign.


Prior to his ADT stint, Pinthus was also affiliated with clubs such as FC Kosova, FC Wohlen, and GC Zurich U21.

According to UCFC co-founder Eric Gottschalk, “True to our mission of developing young players, we have signed Antony Pinthus, on loan from ADT. This was also agreed on by both clubs and supported by Philippines National Head Coach Scott Cooper, to expose Pinthus to the AFC Cup competition. “

“He is the most promising goalkeeper of the Philippines after Neil and Roland and we are happy that he decided to join us for this season, as we believe that UCFC is the right platform to expose him to top Asian football, while learning from our veterans such as Stephan Schroeck and Bienve Maranon.”

Gottschalk continues, “The signing of Pinthus marks the completion of the roster ahead of the transfer window deadline this week. As for the position of Head Coach, we have prepared a shortlist of a number of highly qualified individuals and we will make an announcement in due time.”

Pinthus joins the roster, along with Stephan Shrock, OJ Porteria, Sean Patrick Kane, Ron Bayan, Jun Badelic, Angelo Marasigan, Robert Mendy, Arnie Pasinabo, Tristan Robles, Dennis Villanueva, Joshua Dutosme, Takashi Odawara, Hikaru Minegishi, Bienvenido Maranon, Mike Ott, Manuel Ott, Pocholo Bugas, Jordan Jarvis, Jorrel Aristorenas, and Jose Miguel Clarino.

TaskUs: First BPO to Announce WFH Until End of 2020

Wazzup Pilipinas!

TaskUs, a leading next-generation provider of customer experience and content moderation, continues to put its people’s health and safety first as it announces the extension of work-from-home (WFH) through the end of 2020 through a video posted on its Facebook page.

As soon as President Duterte imposed an Enhanced Community Quarantine over the entire Luzon on March 16, TaskUs Philippines immediately shifted to WFH while other companies remained business-as-usual. Bryce Maddock, TaskUs CEO and co-founder, said the decision to transition and stay WFH is part of their frontline-first culture.

“We want our employees to earn a living, but we also want to make sure they are safe,” Maddock shared. “Unless a critical program requires on-site support, we are going to stay WFH until the end of 2020 for all TaskUs sites except Taiwan since their government did not impose any lockdowns. This decision provides our Teammates with the ability to plan their lives between now and the end of the year. Our employees remain our top priority,” he added.

However, there are some exemptions. Less than 3% of TaskUs Philippines’ workforce may still be asked to return on-site due to security or technical requirements. The company has made additional investments to ensure expanded safety measures and protocols are in place to further safeguard people’s health.

“I think this pandemic has served a lesson not only to the BPO industry but to all industries. At TaskUs, COVID-19 was a chance to live by our core value and prove that we truly put our #PeopleBeforeProfits,” Maddock stated.

TaskUs has over 15,000 employees in the Philippines with sites located in Quezon City, BGC, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Clark, La Union, and Bohol.

To know more about TaskUs, visit its social media pages @TaskUsPH or www.taskus.com.