THE City Council committee on tourism asked the Davao International Airport Authorities to make it mandatory for airlines to utilize the passenger tube.

This suggestion was made during the committee hearing Friday on the complaints that a certain airline makes its passengers walk on the tarmac instead of using the tube.

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Councilor Diosdado Mahipus raised this concern in his privilege speech last August.

"International airport ta unya pabaktasun ang mga passengers (We are an international airport and yet we allow our passengers walk in the tarmac). It doesn't look good and will be a blow to our tourism industry. Wala'y poise," Mahipus said Friday.

During the hearing, airline representatives said they are saving from the $15 per hour payment by using the tube, which the airport authorities are asking as a form of "fund-raising".

"Actually, dapat dili na sila maningil ani kay (they are not supposed to collect anymore because) this is part of the airport service. But if they have to do this, they might as well make it mandatory kay ulaw kaayo sa part sa city nga kita ray ing-ani. Sa ubang cities, dili man (Because its very shameful that we are the only city doing it while the other cities are not)," Mahipus said.

The airline representatives, however, said they will bring the matter up within the company so that it can be an in-house policy. GLP

(November 23, 2008 issue)
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