Naia’s private operators must face penalties for lapses — Poe

Passengers wait in line at a check-in counter a day after the Naia Terminal 3 experienced a power outage on Monday morning, causing delayed flights and cancellations on labor day. The Manila International Airport Authority is not ruling out sabotage because of the power outage that disrupted dozens of flights.  INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Grace Poe has renewed her support for privatizing the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).

But at the same time,  she warned concessionaires that any lapses would be penalized.

Poe, who chairs the Senate Committee on public services, said plans to enlist a private concessionaire for Naia had been long overdue.

“Like any concessionaire, we need to ensure that this private entity lives up to its commitment to improve air services in the country. The government should require an accomplishment timeline, performance matrix, and penalties for any default,” said Poe in a statement on Monday.

The senator added if Naia had been privatized, glitches would have been avoided.

She also said a Senate committee report recommended having a private entity operate the airport.

“We could have averted the glitches that messed up the flight schedules and inconvenienced thousands of travelers had the modernization of the airport’s air traffic control and operations been undertaken years ago,” she observed.

“The proposal to enlist a private concessionaire to operate the country’s main gateway was one of our priority recommendations in the committee report on the Naia power glitches,” she recalled

Poe pointed to the success of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, which was privatized.

“We have seen how the transformation of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport by a private consortium and its improved services and facilities have positively impacted tourism and passenger experience, ” she said.

“This could be a template for the modernization of the NAIA operations,” the senator suggested.

Naia operations hit unexpected interruptions early this year on New Year’s and Labor Day, prompting Senate and House investigations.

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