IN the wake of a ceiling collapse at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 arrival extension that injured seven people, the group PUSO ng NAIA has issued a scathing indictment of airport management and regulatory bodies, labeling the incident a clear manifestation of “systemic neglect, poor maintenance, and failure to uphold the duty of care to the public.”
Romy Sauler, head secretariat of PUSO ng NAIA, delivered a strong statement asserting that the collapse is not an isolated accident but a direct consequence of compromised safety standards and a dereliction of duty by both the New NAIA Infra Corporation (NNIC) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Sauler highlighted that passengers have been subjected to increased airport fees under the guise of modernization and promises of “world-class” facilities, stemming from the agreement between the DOTr and NNIC. However, the current state of the airport, evidenced by the structural failure, falls far short of acceptable safety and operational standards.
PUSO ng NAIA found four major problems: NNIC not taking care of maintenance, the DOTr not doing its job to oversee regulations, a lack of independent technical checks leading to no accountability, and passengers having to pay more for worse services and safety.
The group pointed out that NAIA management has generated billions in revenue from increased airport fees, even before fulfilling the promised ₱170 billion investment. They argued that in the current economic climate of rising living expenses, lowering fees would be more beneficial to Filipinos, especially given the substandard services.
In response to these failures, PUSO ng NAIA is demanding immediate action: a suspension of all fee increases, full disclosure of concession agreements and obligations, an independent safety audit of all terminals, the establishment of an independent oversight mechanism, and strict enforcement of accountability for both NNIC and responsible government officials.
PUSO ng NAIA firmly stated that the operation of the nation’s gateway demands the highest level of responsibility, with both NNIC and the DOTr sharing accountability. They emphasized that the public should not bear the costs of negligence and regulatory failure.
Until safety standards are unequivocally proven through independent validation, PUSO ng NAIA contends that there is no legal or moral justification for imposing additional financial burdens on airport users, emphasizing that “safety is not optional—it is a non-negotiable obligation.” The incident, according to NNIC General Manager Lito Alvarez, occurred at approximately 10:43 a.m. On April 3, the DOTr prompted the MIAA to coordinate with NNIC in conducting a thorough investigation, amidst growing calls for greater transparency, safety audits, and accountability.
