Aquino visits transport hubs, hails Naia 1 rehab

FOR SAFE TRAVEL President Aquino inspects security, ticketing and preboarding procedures at Port of Batangas on Wednesday. He wants to make sure measures are in place for the safety of travelers during Holy Week. MALACAÑANG PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—“I feel like I’m inside a very different airport,” President Benigno Aquino III said, admiring the results of the renovation of Terminal 1 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).

Reporters asked: Would the changes take Naia Terminal 1 down from the top of the list of the world’s worst airports?

Mr. Aquino laughed.

“Well, that would depend on you,” he answered. “Aren’t you the ones who should be promoting it?”

Accompanied by his Cabinet officials, including Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, the President went to Naia Terminal 1 on Wednesday to inspect the renovation of the building, which is 85 percent done.

Mr. Aquino appeared satisfied with the development. He said he was promised that the work would be completed by May or June.

“It looks so different,” he told reporters after inspecting the passenger areas.

Mr. Aquino said he could not imagine the changes through the drawings and plans he had seen.

“The alternative was [to] destroy the whole thing, build from the ground, [which would] take several years to finish,” he said, adding that the government decided on renovation because the airport was needed for the visit of Pope Francis in January, which was also peak season for travel to the Philippines, and for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) meetings this year.

Built in the 1970s, Terminal 1 had been neglected, and landed on top of the list of the world’s worst airports in 2011.

It stayed at the top for three consecutive years then dropped to fourth place on the list of the interactive website Guide to Sleeping in Airports in 2014.

The rating, according to the website, was based on the complaints of travelers about safety and convenience, rude and hostile staff, and poor facilities.

But now, Mr. Aquino said, the newly spruced up Terminal 1 would help complete the experience of tourists that “it’s more fun in the Philippines.”

Flight delays, cancellations

The President inspected Terminal 1 amid the crush of Holy Week travelers worsened by flight delays and cancellations.

According to the Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa), six Tiger Air Philippines flights at Naia Terminal 4 and two Philippine Airlines Express flights at Terminal 3 were canceled.

Canceled due to unexplained “technical problems” were the Tiger Air flights to Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Cebu cities.

Canceled due to unexplained “marketing requirements” were the PAL Express flights to Tacloban City.

It was unclear whether the passengers on those flights were rebooked on other flights.

Forty-nine flights scheduled between

6 a.m. and 2 p.m. were delayed. Most of them were domestic.

Of the 49 delayed flights, 26 were at Terminal 3.

Increase in travelers

Airport officials noted an increase in travelers, most of them bound for domestic destinations.

From March 27 to Wednesday, they said, 279,894 domestic and international travelers used Naia’s Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4, an increase of 5.5 percent from 265,196 this time last year, they said.

They also reported a slight increase in incoming traffic at the four terminals, with 254,494 this year, up by 1.1 percent from 251,699 last year.

From the airport, President Aquino motored to Cubao, Quezon City, to inspect bus terminals jammed with people trying to get rides to their provinces.

Mr. Aquino watched the handling of travelers at the terminals of Five Star Bus Lines and JAC Liner in Cubao.

Port of Batangas

Earlier on Wednesday, President Aquino inspected the Port of Batangas to see the state of services on sea routes to the Visayas.

Mr. Aquino expressed satisfaction with the conditions at the port, noting that many travelers were “smiling.”

“Nobody approached me with any complaint,” Mr. Aquino said. “I hope it [will] be like this for the rest of the day.”

Port officials briefed Mr. Aquino about traffic and security and assistance measures at the port.

He learned that the port had handled 85,000 travelers since March 27.

Mr. Aquino inspected the travelers’ waiting lounge, ticket booths and baggage screening counters, and said he was satisfied.

“I did not see anything that needed improvement,” the President said.

Mr. Aquino also observed the loading and unloading of vehicles on ferries and inspected the port’s newly built ramp for ferries.

Striving for perfection

Asked if he was satisfied with the security measures at the terminals he visited, the President said his administration always strived for “perfection.”

According to deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, the President inspects airports, seaports and bus terminals yearly to make sure government agencies are doing their job of keeping travelers safe and their trips convenient.

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