Front desk officers at Naia caught using smartphones while on duty

MANILA, Philippines — Three front desk officers assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 2 have been caught on video using their smartphones while on official duty.

In a set of clips sent to reporters Wednesday, two men from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) and a woman from the Quarantine Services were seen fidgeting with their phones even with Civil Service Commission (CSC) Commissioner Aileen Lizada — who took the video — was standing beside them.

When asked why she was using her phone, the Quarantine Service job order employee initially denied that she was using her phone. Eventually, she reasoned out that she was waiting for a show to go live around 12:30 p.m.

“Inaabangan ko lang po talaga ‘yong live show every 12:30 p.m.,” she said. “Alam ko po Ma’am na no-lunch break po kami, actually kaka-akyat lang po ni Sir na tiga BPI (Bureau of Plant Industry) tapos sabi po niya ako naman ang magla-lunch.”

(I’m waiting for a show that goes live every day at 12:30 p.m. I know that we have a no lunch break policy. When Sir (BPI employee) comes back from lunch, I will also take lunch.)

The two other CAB employees who were also on job order status likewise acknowledged that watching videos while on official duty is wrong.

Lizada lamented the workers’ attitude, especially as passengers traffic is expected to increase this week.

“Why are you playing? […] This is supposed to be on high alert, we are on high alert, why are you guys playing? Why do you need us to be around to tell you what to do?” she asked.

“It’s not because nobody can see you, you can do whatever you want. This is official time, do official work,” she said.

On Tuesday, Malacañang announced that several government agencies, including airports, will be on heightened alert for the Holy Week or during the yearly exodus of people to the provinces.

READ: Palace: Gov’t agencies on heightened alert this Holy Week

Lizada said in a phone interview with INQUIRER.net that she only chanced upon the employees because she has booked a flight in the terminal.

She said she has forwarded her concern to the Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa) and the officials from the BPI, which handles the Quarantine Services.
“Binigay ko na kay (Miaa General Manager Ed) Monreal, tapos ‘yong sa Quarantine, ni-relay na nila doon sa kanilang head (for the Quarantine Services, they already relayed that to their head),” Lizada said.

Recently, CSC personnel have been going around the country to assess the performance of various government agencies. Last March, an employee of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) was also caught on video selling transport franchises for P700,000. /ee

READ: CSC: LTFRB to decide on case vs employee caught selling franchise