A labor problem is brewing at the premier resort in Panglao Island threatening a disruption of its operations. A very reliable information reaching The Post from a source at the Department of Labor and Employment Regional office in Cebu, revealed that a notice of strike was filed by the BBC Employees Union. The pioneering BBC through hotelier Anos Fonacier set in motion the tourism boom in Panglao after it constructed the resort in 1984. The strike notice was prompted after management of BBC reduced their manpower following the closure due to renovation of the so-called Amihan wing of the complex. Asked for comment on the information, a reliable source told The Post that the BBC management is ready with “radical options” including shutting down the resort if the conflict will not be resolved.

If management makes good its threat to close shop if the strikers insist on mounting a picket line in the resort vicinity, then it was like history repeating itself to another resort which was hit by a strike three years ago. The uppity Alona Palm Beach Resort was engulfed in labor trouble after employees made impossible demands forcing management to close shop leaving the strikers without jobs. According to the same source, the BBC was one of the few resorts in Panglao that gives a salary scale to employees beyond the industry standards. Other benefits not provided by law were also given to their employees. It was learned that the BBC impending strike is initiated by the National Union of Workers in Hotel and Restaurants and Allied Industries. The same labor union initiated the same strike at Alona Palm which forced its owners to close down the establishment.

The planned strike at Panglao’s premier resort came at a time when its Amihan Wing is undergoing renovation. Designed to upgrade the facilities to pave the way for the construction of new suites and luxurious rooms, the Amihan Wing will be managed by the Fonacier Group after the bulk of the complex comprising of about 40 hectares including its corresponding structures was reported sold to a new hotel player from General Santos City in cooperation with a local partner. Following the completion of the renovation, the Habagat Wing will be turned over to the new owner. The Habagat Wing constituted the first phase of development of the complex when it was constructed in 1984. The Amihan Wing was the latest undertaking of the hotel complex that boasted 80 additional rooms. All in all, the hotel has a total of 168 rooms, the source added.