Commonwealth Ports Authority Executive Director Leo Tudela speaks during a board meeting in the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting classroom at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport on Friday.
THE Commonwealth Ports Authority’s board of directors and management said the seaports will have the necessary employees when ships arrive even on weekends, holidays or “austerity” days.
During a board meeting on Friday, CPA Executive Director Leo Tudela raised the need for flexibility when assigning personnel at the seaports, saying at least 20% of operations occur at seaports when ships are coming in “because that is our economy.”
He told the board he doesn’t want the island to suffer from a shortage of SPAM, for example, due to a delay in offloading cargoes because there’s no cashier or other CPA staff working at the seaport on holidays, weekends or austerity days.
“A cashier must be present all the time when the ship comes in,” he said. “That’s for government revenue. Unforeseen circumstances happen. And if that happens, we can provide the service. People required by operation must be there,” Tudela added.
CPA board member Ramon A. Tebuteb, who chairs the Sea Port Affairs Committee said, “We must provide an incentive or compensation. I want to make sure we are clear on that.”
He noted that at times, ships announce their arrivals with last-minute notice so there has to be flexibility in CPA’s personnel workhours at the seaports.
Tudela replied, “I think that is understood.”
He earlier told Variety that CPA operates its airports and seaports 24/7 even during the holidays. “We will provide the service as requested,” he added,
For his part, CPA Board Chairman Jose C. Ayuyu said, “we are here to serve the community. We are not serving the community at our own convenience. It’s got to be at the community’s convenience.”
Ayuyu said when a ship is coming and there’s a typhoon, “then there’s not much they can do.” There will be a delay, he added. “But let’s not make that as an excuse. Let’s be flexible. Let’s do our job, take care of the ships that are coming in. They are the lifeline of our economy. So let’s do it.”
