Just recently, a number of groups in the aviation industry have asked the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to stop the impending increase in landing and take-off fees as well as other charges which they claim would make the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) the most expensive airport in Asia.
The petition was contained in a letter to Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista by the Air Carriers Association of the Philippines, the Board of Airline Representatives and the Airline Operators Council.
Earlier, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), which regulates and operates the country’s primary local and international gateway, issue a notice of public hearing and consultation on the proposed increase in fees and charges on the use of its services, facilities and equipment.
According to news reports, based on the proposed MIAA fees, the passenger service charge for local travelers will increase to P390 from P200. The service charge for international travelers, on the other hand, will go up to P950 from P550.
In another letter to Bautista, the groups pointed out that the data supplied to the government by its transaction adviser, the Asian Development Bank, as basis for the rate increases were misleading and flawed.
The groups emphasized that it is imperative that airport stakeholders be consulted about any changes in fees and charges.
They pointed out that it is not to say that increases in fees and charges must be opposed since there is acceptance that airport development is accompanied by higher travel fees should be equivalent to tangible improvements in airport facilities and services, and overall passenger experience and that additionally, there is a need to ensure that increasing prices will also trickle down to increasing airport capacities such as flight and passenger movements.
The DOTr justified the planned increases in fees and charges in the soon-to-be-privatized NAIA by explaining that it is based on the 160 percent average increase in consumer price index over the last 24 years and the required capital expenditure for the airport’s rehabilitation and expansion capacity.
It stressed that the increase in fees and charges is necessary and long overdue to be able to rehabilitate NAIA and elevate it from its current dismal condition, explaining that the airport needs very significant capital investment to bring it up to an acceptable service standard for passengers, to improve safety and to increase the number of landing and take-off slots available for airlines.
According to the department, the increase, which excludes passenger service charges, was already discussed earlier with the stakeholder groups. It also requested the different opposing groups to provide quantified evidence to prove their claim that NAIA will become the most expensive airport in terms of total levied charges per passenger once the increase is implemented.
The DOTr also noted that the fees and charges have not been changed since year 2000 and that the planned rate increase was included in the approved parameters, terms and conditions specified in the tender documents provided to the bidders for the contract to privatize the operation and maintenance of NAIA.
NAIA badly needs an upgrade. But the reality is that passengers have to share the cost of improvement. Just last February, it was named as the fourth worst gateway in Asia and the Middle East by business class travelers by businessfinancing.co.uk. Meanwhile, its counterparts in Vietnam and Singapore were adjudged as the best. Bedbugs and rats in its public spaces are not helping.
Pasig River Revival
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos recently joined the inspection of the ongoing Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli (PBBM) urban renewal and development project in the Intramuros area.
The First Lady is a well-known advocate for the rehabilitation of the Pasig River. Her vision is to transform it into a people-centered tourist destination similar to the Thames River in London, the Seine in Paris, and the Chao Phraya in Thailand.
Last July 2023, President Marcos issued an executive order mandating the rehabilitation of the Pasig River to its historically pristine condition conducive to transport, recreation and tourism. The First Lady was the first to give her full commitment to the project.
Araneta-Marcos visited the ongoing rehabilitation where she expressed her satisfaction with the progress of the Pasig River revival program. Her inspection underscored a vision for a “living river,” where the waterway not only sustains life but also serves as a vibrant community space.
The PBBM program, launched in January 2024, aims to create eight new esplanades along the river over the next three to five years, starting with the esplanade behind the Central Post Office.
Revitalizing the Pasig River holds significant implications for the Philippines’ economic trajectory. A clean and accessible river can enhance tourism, improve public health and attract investments. These benefits align with Manila’s broader urban renewal goals and the country’s aspirations for economic growth. Environmental initiatives like this reflect effective governance and signal a commitment to sustainable development.
First Ladies have historically played pivotal roles in environmental advocacy. Liza Araneta-Marcos follows in these footsteps but brings a distinctive approach. Her focus on creating civic spaces along the river integrates environmental goals with urban development.
The journey to restore the Pasig River is more than an environmental task. It is about reclaiming a vital part of the Philippines’ identity, setting a standard for urban development, and creating a sense of collective responsibility among Filipinos. The success of this initiative depends on the active participation of government agencies, private sector partners and the public.
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