Poe on bed bugs at NAIA: ‘That’s an issue in other countries as well’

Senator Grace Poe (File photo from Joseph Vidal / Senate Social Media Unit)

MANILA, Philippines — The bed bug or ‘surot’ infestation at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) is an issue that is plaguing foreign countries too.

Senator Grace Poe expressed this view in a text message on Thursday.

“That’s an issue [in] other countries as well. In France, train stations and some hotel rooms are affected. There is an increasing infestation problem,” said Poe.

The senator heads the Senate panel on public services.

While she noted that this is not an isolated incident, Poe still urged the management of NAIA “to make it a practice to regularly check disinfect and thoroughly clean facilities.”

She made the same call to all maintenance units of private and public offices.

“Cleaning and disinfecting should be a standard operating procedure, not just during a virus outbreak or infestation,” she emphasized.

NAIA earlier drew flak after two Facebook posts alleging that the terminals’ steel and rattan chairs harbored bed bugs went viral.

Manila International Airport has apologized for the incident.

It likewise ordered the implementation of better sanitation measures at the airport’s facilities.