Participants of the multi-sectoral forum on aviation industry challenges hold placards calling to “spare public service from profit and business” after signing a petition urging the suspension of the NAIA fee hikes.
THE Pagkakaisa ng mga Users, Stakeholders at Obrero ng NAIA (Puso ng NAIA) has launched a petition demanding the immediate suspension of the impending increase in terminal fees and other airport charges set to take effect on September 15 under the new management of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
The National Confederation of Labor (NCL), a member organization of the alliance, gathered support from more than 100 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) during a Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar held at the KAKAMPPI-PDOS Center in Manila.
While the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and its attached agency, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), maintain that OFWs are exempted from terminal fee increases, NCL spokesperson Glecy Naquita explained that workers will still bear the brunt of “chain-reaction” cost hikes at NAIA.
These include added burdens on travelers and higher charges on packages and remittances sent by migrant workers to their families in the Philippines.
“Hindi makatarungan na ipapasan sa ordinaryong pasahero at manggagawang migrante ang bilyong pisong pamumuhunan ng pribadong sektor. Ang paliparan ay dapat para sa serbisyo publiko, hindi para sa tubo ng iilan,” Naquita further said.
NAIA is now under private sector management after the government approved a ₱170.6 billion Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation (NNIC), a consortium led by San Miguel Corporation.
The group was awarded a 15-year concession, extendable to 25 years, to operate and rehabilitate the country’s main international gateway.
Following this takeover, the MIAA issued Administrative Order No. 1 (s.2024), which imposes steep increases in airport fees and charges.
Among the hikes: passenger service charges will rise from ₱200 to ₱390 (domestic) and from ₱550 to ₱950 (international) by September 2025.
Landing and take-off fees, cargo charges, and parking rates will also be significantly increased.
Formed in July, Puso ng NAIA is a broad alliance of workers, passengers, and stakeholders united in opposing the unjustifiable fee hikes.
The alliance calls for a genuine and transparent consultation with all affected sectors and insists that public service must not be sacrificed for private profit.
