MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Tuesday night graced the birthday celebration of Philippine Airlines (PAL) chairman and chief executive officer Lucio Tan, lauding the tycoon’s efforts to deliver “quality flight experience” to all its passengers.
Tan’s 83rd birthday coincides with the roll out of PAL’s two new aircraft, the Airbus A350 and A321 Neo, at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
In his speech, Duterte greeted Tan happy birthday, stressing that despite his age, the tycoon is “still a success story on all fronts.”
“This milestone would not have been possible without the decisive leadership of Dr. Lucio Tan, who is celebrating his 83rd birthday today. Dr. Tan, I wish you a happy birthday and may you continue to be endowed with good health, countless blessings and greater success in all endeavors,” Duterte said.
Duterte added that he was pleased to witness the unveiling of PAL’s new aircraft, describing it as a “momentous achievement not only for PAL, but for the entire country as well.”
“I commend the airline for its efforts to deliver quality flight experience to all its passengers by modernizing its fleet, expanding its reach and providing wholehearted care that is distinctively Filipino,” he added.
The President said that PAL’s accomplishments and initiatives will encourage more people to travel to the Philippines and in turn boost the tourism industry.
“The tourism sector is full of exciting opportunities that do not only showcase our unique heritage. In fact, it is also a crucial instrument for the development of the livelihood of our citizenry,” Duterte said.
“I thus enjoin PAL and the rest of the private sector to continue supporting us as we lay down the groundwork for a better and [more] prosperous society,” he added.
Duterte assured Tan of his full support as PAL continues to work towards becoming a world-class airline.
He also mentioned that he has been a PAL customer since his college days.
“Ah, sir, it might just be noteworthy to say this that I have been your customer since college days. And that would be about more than 50 years ago,” Duterte told Tan.
Duterte, meanwhile, thanked both PAL and low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific anew for helping the government in the repatriation of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from Kuwait.
“Before I would begin to talk about the event, let me just express my profound gratitude to the two airlines that helped (the) government during the Kuwait stressful moments — not a crisis,” Duterte said.
“I hope that somehow government can return the favor in the days to come,” he added. (Azer Parrocha/PNA)
