MANILA, Philippines – Hiniling ng Makabayan Bloc ang Kamara na imbestigahan ang pagsasapribado ng Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) privatization, sa pagsasabing ang paglilipat ng operasyon sa private consortium ay magkakaroon ng hindi magandang epekto sa publiko.
Inihain ng Makabayan, binubuo nina ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio at Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Co, ang House Resolution No. 29 na humihiling sa House committee on transportation na busisiin ang mga pagbabagong naganap sa NAIA mula nang makuha ng San Miguel Corporation-SAP & Company (SMC-SAP) Consortium ang private-public partnership (PPP) project sa rehabilitasyon ng NAIA.
Ang subsidiary ng SMC-SAP na New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation (NNIC), ang siya nang nagpapatakbo sa NAIA.
Sa kabila nito, sinabi ni Tinio at Co na bukod sa pagtaas ng parking fares sa paliparan, nagkaroon din aniya ng biglang pagtaas sa rental fees mula nang patakbuhin ito ng NNIC.
Naniniwala siya na dahil dito ay mapipilitan ang concessionaires na tumigil sa operasyon na magreresulta sa pagkawala ng trabaho, pagtaas ng presyo ng serbisyo at produkto, na kalaunan ay makakaapekto sa mga commuter.
“The proposed revised fees, dues, and charges by the NNIC was approved through the MIAA Revised Administrative Order 1 Series of 2024, prescribing substantial increases in airport charges related to landing and takeoff, terminal rental, tacking operations, use of counters, and parking, thus raising public concerns over the accessibility and affordability of airport services,” ayon sa Makabayan.
“Following the issuance of the revised administrative order, increases in parking fees were implemented on October 1, 2024, with charges for the first 24 hours rising from Php 300 to Php 1,200 […] A notable hike in rental rates was also observed, indicating an increase from Php 700 per square meter (/sq.m.) to Php 3,200/sq.m. This prompted concessionaires and stakeholders to close their stores, causing hundreds of job losses and layoffs,” dagdag pa nila.
Pinirmahan noong Marso 18, 2024 ang concession agreement na nagkakahalaga ng P170.6-billion sa pagitan ng Department of Transportation (DOTr), Manila International Airport Authority, at NNIC, para sa rehabilitasyon, operasyon, expansion at paglilipat ng NAIA.
Ayon sa Makabayan, ang NAIA project ay lilikha ng P900 billion na kita na magmumula umano sa mas mahal na singil dahilan para sa mas mataas na pamasahe sa eroplano.
“It is estimated that the NAIA PPP Project will generate a total revenue of as much as Php 900 billion, in the instance that the 15-year concession is extended to another 10 years. However, most of these revenues will be incurred from aeronautical charges that would then translate into higher airfares and service charges for passengers and consumers,” anang Makabayan.
“The privatization of public assets and services, rather than improving the quality of life of Filipinos, has historically translated to a rise in the cost of goods and services as well as additional consumer charges, with much of those who bear the brunt are ordinary people […] increased airport fees will directly affect airlines through higher operational costs, and this will be passed on to passengers through higher ticket prices and additional hidden charges,” dagdag pa. RNT/JGC
