MANILA, Philippines—It was not a tongue-lashing he received from the President but emphatic instructions, according to Alfonso Cusi, general manager of the Manila International Airport Authority.

Belying radio reports he was on the receiving end of a tirade by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo just before she left for China at 6 a.m. Thursday, Cusi said: “It was unfair to the President. Hindi bale na ako. Hindi siya nagtaray (Never mind me. She did not lose her temper). Well, she was a bit emphatic but she was just emphasizing the need to construct more roads leading to the airport.”

In a phone interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Cusi said the President, who was with her husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, also mentioned to him as they were alighting from their car that they had just passed by the rotunda on Andrew Avenue in front of the newly opened NAIA Terminal 3 and she did not like the condition of the road.

He said the President also asked why the landmark on the rotunda had not been finished.

The landmark, including a sculpture, he said, was still the subject of a “contest” on who would execute its design.

The project was being handled by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, he added.

Cusi said the President also ordered all roads leading to the airport spruced up in time for the coming visits of the heads of state of Switzerland and East Timor.

“She stressed that to me and that was very valid, especially if you’re hosting heads of state. She said, ‘It has to be done and I want it done immediately.’ There was an urgency in what she was saying,” said Cusi.

He said the order was not only addressed to him but to officials of other government agencies involved with the airport.

President Arroyo departed Thursday on board a Philippine Airlines plane for Sichuan and Beijing on an official visit and to attend the opening of the Olympic Games on Friday. She is due back on Saturday.