Operations Continue Despite Dockworkers’ Strike at Port of General Santos, Philippines

May 22: The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said operations at the Port of General Santos remain uninterrupted despite a strike by dockworkers due to stalled negotiations of a collective bargaining settlement with the South Cotabato Integrated Port Services, Inc. (SCIPSI). “Everything is under control and PPA is on top of the situation,” PPA General Santos port manager Cesar Dataya said in a statement. “PPA is doing its best to reduce whatever inconvenience or delays the strike is bringing to the efficient dispense of public service.”

The strike, which began on May 19, stemmed from a negotiation deadlock involving the new collective bargaining agreement between SCIPSI and its dockworkers’ union, Makar-SENTRO.

The Port of General Santos, also known as Makar Wharf, handles approximately 96% of domestic and international general and containerized cargo in the SOCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos) area.

SCIPSI is a joint venture between International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) and Asian Terminals, Inc. The Manila-based terminal operators acquired 71.40% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of SCIPSI in 1999. In 2008, ICTSI acquired an additional 12.58% of the issued and outstanding capital stock from SCIPSI stockholders.

“We are encouraging the public to stay calm amid the current situation as we continue to work double-time to resolve the situation,” Dataya added.

Source: Port Calls