MANILA, Philippines - A wholly owned subsidiary of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) is taking over the call center operations of ailing flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL).

PAL has signed an outsourcing agreement with ePLDT Ventus formalizing the partnership, which will take effect June 1, 2010.

PAL's contact center service business is among the 3 non-core units the airline is spinning off as part of a restructuring plan that will displace an initial 3,000 workers. The 2 other units include in-flight catering services and airport services, including ground round handling, cargo terminal/cargo handling and ramp handling.

PAL said ePLDT Ventus will extend job offers to all affected employees of PAL's reservation sales units in Manila and Cebu, and the Mabuhay Miles Center. The said employees will be priority in filling up approximately 600 agent positions at eLDT Ventus.

"PAL's decision to fully outsource its contact center to a proven and reliable partner like ePLDT Ventus will greatly enhance its operational efficiency and productivity in the face of stiffer challenges in the market," said PAL president Jaime Bautista in a statement.

"ePLDT Ventus, with its recognized expertise, latest technology and highly competent workforce, is best positioned to address PAL's pressing and future requirements for contact center services," ePLDT Ventus president Maulik Parekh added.

Bautista said more PAL employees will be laid off in the company's restructuring. Among those that will be affected include PAL's medical, information technology unit, and some human resource and administrative positions.

In the last 2 fiscal years, PAL’s financial situation has been deteriorating, with the company sustaining over $350 million (or more than P15 billion) in annual losses.