VARIOUS groups called for the cancelation of the privatization contract of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport with San Miguel Corporation, saying the deal was pushing up airport fees which could eventually could affect airfares.
Consumer group SUKI spokesperson Amihan Mabalay noted that since last year several fees like landing fee, takeoff fee, rent fee had gone up. By September, terminal fees are expected to rise.
“Tayo ang magbabayad ng mas mataas na terminal fee from P550 to 950. Iba diyan ang takeoff and landing fees na tataas ng 1,500 percent,” Mabalay said at a press conference in Quezon City.
The group said the hikes in fees could eventually push airfares up, which would make it more difficult for airlines to have so-called “piso fares” or promos.
Kabataan party-list’s Rep. Renee Co said she filed a resolution to investigate the privatization of NAIA, which would include looking into whether the deal went through proper processes and if it was constitutional.
At least two petitions have also been filed before the Supreme Court questioning the said deal.
“Pwedeng magkaroon ng executive order na pirmahan at i-execute si Marcos para itigil ‘yung implementation ng joint venture agreement given that napakadaming layers of unconstitutionality and illegality,” Co noted.
Kilusang Mayo Uno chairperson Jerome Adonis added, “Meron bang improvement? Wala. Bakit? Nagpapatuloy ang maraming delayed na flights, napakatindi ng pila… Nandyan pa rin mga nawawalang gamit.”
Other groups who joined the press conference were Bayan, Migrante Philippines, Sandigan Philippines, and the Concerned Seafarers of the Philippines. They all want NAIA privatization stopped and asserted that government has the funds to improve the airport without having to increase airport fees.
“Deserve din ng mga konsyumer, mga OFW, ng lahat ng gumagamit sa airport na gumanda ‘yung serbisyo, so tungkulin ‘yan ng gobyerno,” Adonis added.
The Manila International Airport Authority, regulator of NAIA and the previous operator of the airport, disagreed with the groups.
MIAA General Manager Eric Ines said there had been a lot of improvements and more were coming. He added that government cannot fully fund all these improvements.
“Privatization really helps. It really helps the government in trying to improve the airport, to make passengers more convenient ang kanilang travels etc.,” Ines said.
He added that the Philippine Village Hotel was being demolished to pave the way for the new NAIA Terminal 5, while the old NAIA terminal 4 had been demolished and would be relocated between NAIA 1 and 2. (ABS-CBN News)
