An airport watchdog expressed concerns about San Miguel Corporation’s (SMC) capacity to meet its timeline for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, NAIA, rehab.
AirportWatch Spokesperson Danilo Lorenzo “Ren” Delos Santos stated following SMC’s confirmation that two of its infrastructure projects are facing delays– the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan and the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT7).
“The recent setbacks in San Miguel Corporation’s (SMC) infrastructure projects have once again highlighted serious concerns about its ability to meet deadlines, particularly for the ongoing MRT-7 project and the New Manila International Airport (NMIA),” Delos Santos said in a statement released on Friday.
“These delays cast doubt on SMC’s capacity to manage other critical undertakings, including the equally vital rehabilitation of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA),” he added.
Delos Santos said delays in SMC infrastructure targets “undermine the justification for any increase in airport fees.”
“At AirportWatch.PH, we firmly believe that the NAIA rehabilitation project deserves the same level of attention and urgency as SMC’s other ventures, despite the challenges those projects currently face,” he explained.
“The delays in SMC’s infrastructure targets undermine the justification for any increase in airport fees, especially when there is no clear assurance that the promised improvements will be delivered on time. To demand higher fees from travelers without delivering the anticipated benefits is unjust and must be reevaluated,” Delos Santos said.
The airport watchdog has repeatedly questioned the looming massive airport fee increase even before the public can experience the improvements in NAIA.
“While the commitments made during previous hearings hold great potential, SMC must prioritize its responsibility to serve the Filipino people over profit—we at AirportWatch.PH continues to oppose the looming increase of airport fees before any tangible improvements are delivered and enjoyed by all NAIA users,” Delos Santos emphasized.
“We urge SMC to listen to the voices of those affected and to create meaningful avenues for cooperation towards the full realization of the NAIA infrastructure project,” he added.
He also called for transparency and fairness in implementing Administrative Order No. 1, which mandates the early increase of fees at NAIA that will affect passenger fees, landing and takeoff charges, and lease rates for all businesses operating within the NAIA complex.
“The proposed increase in airport fees, as outlined in Administrative Order No. 1, must be thoroughly scrutinized. It is essential that the concerns of all stakeholders affected by the NAIA rehabilitation project are addressed,” Delos Santos said.
