Workers and Puso ng NAIA unite to fight for rights and against ‘ghost’ projects corruption.
THOUSANDS of members of the broad alliance Pagkakaisa ng mga Users, Stakeholders at Obrero ng NAIA (Puso ng NAIA) are set to join the Trillion Peso March protest rally this Sunday, September 21, at Luneta Park.
The mobilization, expected to gather at least 3,000 participants—mostly workers—will denounce large-scale corruption in government projects amounting to trillions of pesos.
At the center of their demand is the call to investigate not only the ₱1.9-trillion worth of anomalous flood control projects over the past 15 years, but also the ₱900-billion Public-Private Partnership (PPP) deal between the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and San Miguel-led New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) for the rehabilitation and operation of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the country’s flagship airport and primary gateway.
The rally date is symbolic—it coincides with the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law under dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., father of the incumbent president.
Demand for Inclusion in ICI Probe President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. recently created the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to investigate anomalous flood control and infrastructure projects, after the discovery of “ghost projects” in Bulacan.
Headed by retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres Reyes Jr., with former DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson and SGV & Co. Partner Rossana Fajardo as members, the ICI was billed as an independent, non-political body. Puso ng NAIA, however, insists that the NAIA PPP deal must be included in the probe.
Alliance spokesperson Romeo Sauler warned that the concession agreement is riddled with red flags: it was rushed and awarded opaquely to San Miguel Corporation without genuine consultation with workers, OFWs, or consumers; it grants the company sole discretion over unregulated fees; and it includes revenue guarantees heavily tilted in favor of SMC, signaling a dangerous surrender of government oversight.
These terms, he added, would likely lead to massive fee hikes that restrict ordinary people’s access to air travel.
“Let this be a turning point. No contract, no politician, no contractor should be above scrutiny. We will fight corruption so public money works for public good—not private gain,” Sauler said.
Workers’ Anger and Demands Gilbert Bagtas, president of the Samahang Manggagawa sa Paliparan ng Pilipinas (SMPP), a Puso ng NAIA member group, condemned how taxpayers’ money is plundered: “Nakakasuka at nakakapaghimagsik ng kalooban kung paano pinagsasawaan ng mga taong gobyerno ang buwis na walang laban na kinokolekta mula sa ating sahod at konsumo,” Bagtas said.
On behalf of the alliance, Bagtas laid down the following demands: an immediate freeze on all NAIA fee hikes starting October 2024; a full and transparent review of the PPP’s drafting, terms, and implementation; public disclosure of all related documents and payments; and the issuance of subpoenas to compel testimonies from all parties involved.
“Sa patuloy na pagsasapribado ng mahahalagang serbisyo publiko, dapat ding silipin ng ICI kung ito ba’y tunay na nakabubuti para sa mamamayan at sa bayan,” he added, warning that PPP deals are often sophisticated schemes between corrupt officials and big business to drain the nation’s coffers.
