Metro Manila, Philippines — A picket and mock press conference were held in front of the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) Headquarters in Ortigas to protest the upcoming increase in charges and rates at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on September 14.
The rate increase is based on MIAA Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2024.
The protests organized by Partido Lakas ng Masa, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, and Sanlakas used “standee” of SMC CEO Ramon S. Ang or (RSA), demanded to justify the sweeping rate increases.
They questioned why the rates at Metro Manila’s premier international airport could not be suspended amid pending consultation with stakeholders at the said transport facility.
“Iniimbitahan namin si RSA na bumaba mula sa kanyang trono. Magsalita siya tungkol sa malakihang pagtaas ng mga singil sa NAIA. Kung kaya niyang magyabang na ‘at no cost’ niyang lulutasin ang pagbaha sa Metro Manila, bakit kabaliktaran ang kanyang ginagawa sa NΑΙΑ?” PLM President Ka Leody De Guzma said.
He criticized RSA for prioritizing profits over passenger welfare. He pointed out the hypocrisy of RSA’s claims of solving Metro Manila’s flooding issues “at no cost” while pushing for significant fee hikes at NAIA.
The protesters argued that the fee hike is a case of “front loading,” where passengers bear the cost of NAIA rehabilitation before any improvements are made. They suggested that RSA should invest in improving the airport before increasing fees.
“Pwede naman nilang itaas ng mga fees at charges kapag narehabilitate at naayos na ang NAIA. Mamuhunan muna siya sa pagpapaayos ng airport bago bawiin ang ipinuhunan. Kaso iba ang ginawa, ‘front loading’. Taumbayan ang papasan sa hindi lang sa bilyon-bilyong tubo ni RSA at sa koleksyon ng gobyerno kundi maging sa NAIA rehabilitation!” de Guzman added.
The SMC group won the bidding for the privatization of NAIA as it promised an 82.16% government share in the operation of the said airport.
This protest is the second time the groups have demonstrated at SMC Headquarters. The previous one was held on August 7 with a surprise confrontation with RSA himself, followed by a letter of opposition filed at the Department of Transportation (DOTr) against MIAA Admin Order No. 1. — Alea Crazu, Contributor