The Department of Labor and Employment is planning to hold marathon meetings with the management and flight attendants of Philippine Airlines to avert a strike that can cripple the flag carrier. In a radio interview Friday, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said her department hopes to help PAL management and the Flight Attendants' and Stewards' Association of the Philippines (FASAP) come up with a win-win solution during the 30-day cooling off period. "Marathon siguro ang ating pakikipagpulong sa kanila ... Magtutulung-tulungan tayo sa cooling-off period [na] humanap ng settlement sa notice of strike, baka may offer and counter-offer from both sides," Baldoz said in an interview on dzXL radio. (We may hold marathon meetings with both sides. We want to help resolve the matter during this cooling-off period, during which we expect both sides to come up with their offers and counter-offers.) Baldoz said she expects the meetings to start this coming week. "Naka-set na yan this coming week for conciliation and mediation (We have set meetings)," she said. On Thursday, FASAP filed a notice of strike with the Labor Department, citing what it called the airline's discriminatory policies. (See: PAL flight attendants to stage strike vs age discrimination) On Friday morning, PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said the airline is drawing up plans for "worst-case" scenarios. (See: PAL readies plan for 'worst-case' scenario in attendants' strike)
Meanwhile, travel agencies are bracing for "hell" in booking flights should the prospective strike by PAL flight attendants cripple the flag carrier. National Association of Independent Travel Agencies chairman emeritus Robert Lim Joseph said a strike will also discourage foreigners from coming to the country. "
Maraming masisira sa ating mga booking... ang daming problema (We expect so many bookings to be disrupted as a result of the strike. And this will be just one of many problems)," Joseph said in a separate interview on dzXL radio. He also warned travelers may have to pay extra if government taps foreign airlines to take up the slack left by PAL. Joseph cited the country's experience during the Estrada administration, when two carriers tapped to fill in for PAL flights jacked up their fares. "
Noong nagkaroon ng strike
ang PAL in 2000 or 1999
ang Cathay Pacific
at Singapore Airlines, tinaas ang presyo (When a strike hit PAL in 1999 or 2000, two airlines - Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines - jacked up their rates)," he said. On the other hand, Joseph said many foreign investors and tourists will be discouraged from visiting the Philippines due to the PAL strike. "
Kaho-hostage crisis lang sa atin, baka ma-hostage sila. Lilipat sila dito biglang strike ang PAL (We are still reeling from a hostage crisis. Foreigners might feel being 'taken hostage' in the Philippines if they come in and then a strike suddenly hits PAL)," he said. "
Sana magakroon sila ng reconciliation.
Kung di matuloy yan kawawa ang Pilipinas,
masisira ang ating imahe (We hope the two sides reconcile. Otherwise, the Philippines' image will suffer)," he added.
— RSJ/LBG, GMANews.TV 
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