Prayers for PAL's Survival

Today
Monday, September 21, 1998

THE rank-and-file employees of Philippine Airlines, banding together under the Save PAL Movement, conducted a nationwide sentimental display of collective support for the continued operations of PAL and pleaded for a reversal of the closure decision.

Special Masses and prayers were simultaneously offered yesterday by PAL workers at various offices, including all provincial stations to seek divine intercession to prevent the coming shutdown of PAL operations on Wednesday, Metro Manila-based employees attended Mass at the PAL Sports Center, Nichols, Pasay City, in expression of their desire to save PAL.

The Save PAL Movement, which initiated the prayer gatherings, expressed "deep concern" over the possible "loss of our livelihood that is the source of food on our families' tables, roof over our heads and education for our children."

In a statement, the movement said: "As we fervently plead for divine intercession, we also implore all partiess concerned, including the government, to seek all possible avenues to reverse the imminent demise of Asia's once proud first airlines."

Other PAL workers were also seen wearing blue ribbons in a display of support to save PAL.

Earlier, spontaneous expression of concern for PAL's survival was initiated through the circulation of signature campaigns and petition letters to the PAL Board of Directors and the labor unions, calling for reconsideration of their respective positions that have led to the decision to close PAL.

One of the petitions addressed to the Interim PAL Rehabilitation Committee declares the workers' commitment "to do operational activities to support the continued operation of PAL."

Another letter addressed to the union said, "We are fighting for the company's survival. This is a last-ditch appeal. Please allow us to cling on to PAL. For in reality we are clinging on to dear life!"

The Save PAL Movement was first formed after the pilots' strike last June to ask the PAL Employees' Association to keep from staging another protest action or work stoppage that would further destablize PAL's already critical financial condition and thus lead to its closure.