THE first visual and physical experience a foreigner visiting the Philippines will be his or her airport encounter. A tourist who has seen and used various airports in many parts of the world could not be faulted for comparing the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to similar airports in other capitals.
We have been talking about enticing foreign capital to enter the country, and have in fact launched several investment caravans in Europe, the United States, and Canada.
We also have enacted laws to favor foreign investors through tax incentives and other perks. We have endeavored to provide a favorable business climate for investors already in the country, to convince them to stay or expand their operations.
All these will be negated if we continue to have brownouts at NAIA, or worse, air traffic management failures like the ones that we encountered early this year.
The Philippines suffered national embarrassment in the eyes of the global community when NAIA’s new Communications, Navigation and Surveillance-Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) System broke down last Jan. 1, 2023, during the height of the holiday travel rush. The incident led to the realization that the system did not have an independent backup.
‘It is welcome news then that the Office of the President has included P2.8 billion under the proposed P5.768 trillion national budget for 2024 to upgrade the Ninoy Aquino International Airport aviation infrastructure…’
The disruption of more than 300 international and domestic flights in and out of Manila that left more than 65,000 passengers stranded and cargo movement and supply chain paralyzed is a nightmare that any self-respecting government will vow not to repeat.
It is welcome news then that the Office of the President has included P2.8 billion under the proposed P5.768 trillion national budget for 2024 to upgrade the Ninoy Aquino International Airport aviation infrastructure, including the procurement of a new CNS/ATM System. An initial amount of P1.2 billion from the proposed P2.8 billion funding is allotted for the acquisition of this system.
Another positive item on commercial aviation is the Department of Transportation’s proposed P6.1 billion budget for the construction of various airports and navigational facilities, an amount which is double this year’s P3.1 billion.
If approved, the following airports will undergo infrastructure development and upgrading of facilities: Kalibo, Daniel Z. Romualdez in Tacloban, New Dumaguete Airport, Busuanga, New Zamboanga International Airport, New Manila International Airport, Bukidnon, and New Bohol International Airport.
All these plans and development are expected to redound to an increase in tourist arrivals, enhanced business activities, investments, and more jobs and incomes for the people, which is what good governance is all about.
