MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday pointed to faster passenger processing and newly opened facilities at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 as concrete signs of a turnaround at the country’s main gateway, saying the upgrades are critical to restoring traveler confidence and accelerating the Philippines’ tourism push.
Speaking during the inauguration of the upgraded amenities at Terminal 3, held alongside the 2025 Presidential Pamaskong Salubong Para sa mga Bagong Bayani ng Bansa, Marcos said the improvements demonstrate how reforms and private-sector partnership can translate into better services for both Filipinos and foreign visitors.
“We reaffirm the commitment to position the Philippines as a tourism powerhouse here in Asia,” the President said.
“This accomplishment reminds us that when systems are fixed and institutions cooperate, efficiency follows and so does public trust,” he added.
Marcos shared his personal observations after inspecting the terminal, noting the visible difference in passenger experience compared with previous years.
“Ang commentary namin ni First Lady habang naglalakad kami in the different parts of the airport, ang sabi ko sa kanya, ‘It looks like a real airport finally because it looks like the airport that we go through when we travel in other places,’” he said.
The New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the private operator of the airport, rolled out several new features at Terminal 3, including biometric Immigration e-Gates, two food halls showcasing Filipino brands, and a Dignitaries Lounge, as part of the ongoing modernization of the NAIA complex.
Under the phased rollout, a total of 78 biometric Immigration e-Gates are being deployed across NAIA, with units already operational at Terminals 1 and 3. NNIC said the technology has sharply cut down processing time for qualified travelers.
“The system enables eligible passengers to complete immigration clearance in about 20 seconds, helping ease congestion during peak travel periods. It uses biometric identity verification and document authentication to streamline processing while meeting the security requirements of border authorities,” the company said.
Terminal 3 also unveiled the All-Filipino Tambayan Food Hall and the Mezzanine Food Hall, housing 17 local brands that feature regional dishes and Filipino-made products, giving passengers a distinctly local experience.
Meanwhile, the newly opened Dignitaries Lounge is intended to serve as a dedicated venue for official functions and visiting delegations.
Marcos said the upgrades were designed to benefit a broad range of airport users, particularly overseas Filipino workers, senior citizens, and families.
“These changes were designed with our OFWs in mind,” he said.
“Hindi lamang ito usapin tungkol sa imprastruktura. Ito ay usapin ng malasakit. Ang pagunawa sa pagod, pangamba, at pananabik ng bawat Pilipino at bisitang dumadating dito sa ating bansa,” the President added.
He also cited operational improvements under the government’s partnership with NNIC, including a single-day on-time performance rate of 92 percent.
“More importantly, the Manila International Airport has received its very first-ever customer experience accreditation from the Airports Council International,” Marcos said./PN
