FOR a while, things looked good for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) with the successful transition of its operations from the government to the private sector. As in many enterprises that have been privatized, businessmen have proven to be better managers, and the public service is better served.
Physical features of the airport, particularly its Terminal 3, were prioritized by the new management. So we now see the construction of a spacious and modern parking area, presumably one that won’t catch fire such as what happened a few months ago. The comfort rooms are well maintained, together with the passenger waiting areas. There is even a reliable mechanized luggage wrapping corner, where passengers may secure their cargo boxes and luggage with plastic wraps.
The NAIA has started its transformation to become an efficient and world-class facility, but for some glitches that have started to resurface like malignant diseases.
‘Problems at the airports will surely crop up in the future, but the important thing is our authorities should be quick to respond.’
Last Sunday, the airport suffered another brownout, only for 5 minutes, but it affected Terminals 1, 2, and 3, prompting Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon to say that a five-minute power interruption at the NAIA terminals is unacceptable. It was reported that there was Meralco power tripping in the whole airfield, affecting the three terminals.
Dizon said generators should kick in within a minute so that airport operations would not be delayed, as he called for a prompt solution to prevent similar incidents. It may be recalled that the airport had been saddled with power failures in 2024 and 2023.
The problem of electric power in the airport may be solved by better management. But this next one is more serious.
There is another incident of the old scourge — the “tanim bala” racket where the bags and luggage of passengers mysteriously turn out to have bullets in them, prompting the victims to fork some money to security personnel.
A 69-year-old woman set to travel to Vietnam with her family accused NAIA security personnel of “tanim bala” or bullet planting just as they were about to board their flight last March 6.
Passenger Ruth Adel said she and her family almost missed their flight after NAIA security claimed they have an x-ray image of an “anting-anting” or amulet in the form of a bullet casing inside their luggage. However, a physical inspection of the said bag did not find any bullet casing.
Various violations of airport security protocols were established in the ensuing investigation, so that Secretary Dizon immediately fired three employees of the Office of the Transportation Security (OTS) who were involved in the incident.
“Appropriate investigations will be conducted and the proper administrative charges will be filed after the investigation has been conducted. But now we are terminating them already today. I’ve already instructed General (OTS Administrator Arthur Velasco) Bisnar to issue that order today,” Dizon said on Monday.
The secretary said his department will not stand for any abuse. “Any abuse will be dealt with the same result and the same swift action from us, as mandated and as ordered to us by the President himself. We will not allow this to happen,” he added.
Problems at the airports will surely crop up in the future, but the important thing is our authorities should be quick to respond.
