Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal held a fun-filled lunch gathering with the members of the airport media.
Before the end of the said luncheon, the good GM gave a short but sweet message where he thanked all those who covered him for the past six years. GM Monreal recounted that he had been working at the airport since 1978.
Four years later or in 1982, he was recruited by Cathay Pacific, a Hong Kong-based airline company and became its station manager.
He retired in 2015 and moved on to become a consultant of the MIAA.
GM Monreal says he is ready to become ‘citizen Ed’ once his stint ends on June 30, the end of term of all sitting officials both in the national and the local government.
He has every reason to look forward to a bit of rest since the job of an airport manager is a 24/7, for 365 days each year.
As the media gathered around him, GM Monreal said: Since 1978 hanggang ngayon andito pa rin ako. Kahit paminsan-minsan tinitira n’yo ko, ok lang sa ‘kin ‘yun. Talagang kasama sa trabaho ‘yun,” eliciting laughter from all of us.
“Talagang ganun eh. The ride was very challenging, it was rewarding. Sana, nakapag-contribute tayo ng konte sa airport kahit paano man lang at sana naman, napagbigyan ko kayo kung nagtatanong kayo. Minsan, hindi pwede sagutin alam nyo naman, minsan may mga isyu na pansarili lang. Sana pagpasensiyaahan ninyo kung me shortcomings pa ‘ko. Maraming salamat ulit sa lahat ng tulong ninyo,” he added.
Indeed, it was a challenging stint for GM Monreal on whose shoulders fell the responsibility of professionalizing the ranks and eradicating the ‘tanim bala’ or ‘laglag bala’ issue that hounded the administration which preceded his for a long time, so much so that the NAIA had gained notoriety especially among balikbayans and foreign tourists who have fallen prey.
It was also GM Monreal who resolved the equally shameful issue of frequent pilferages in the premier airport once he assumed office.
He also made sure that the airconditioning system at the NAIA Terminals were performing a lot better to put an end to passengers’ complaints about the matter.
The runway/taxiway improvements introduced under the administration of GM Monreal were also notable in the delivery of better services to the air traveling public.
What can be considered though as the most challenging part of his stewardship was in 2018, when a Xiamen Air plane skidded off the NAIA runway, prompting a closure of the said runway which in turn, triggered flight delays and cancellations affecting thousands of passengers.
The incident left the country’s main airport paralyzed for over four days as thousands of passengers got stranded with hundreds of flights cancelled or diverted.
Fortunately, GM Monreal was able to weather the situation with flying colors.
And then, of course, there is the pandemic that also primarily hit the operations at the NAIA Terminals.
It was also a first and there is particular handbook on how to handle the situation, but the airport management under GM Monreal weathered it.
In the midst of this and all other crises that hit the airport, what is additionally admirable about GM Monreal is his readiness to answer queries anytime of the day. He is always just a text away and constantly gives honest replies.
The luncheon, by the way, also turned into a reunion of sorts among dear colleagues and friends of long standing, since our last get-together was before the pandemic.
Also present in the rare gathering were GM Monreal’s equally amiable and most trusted associates, Bro. Jess Martinez and Donya Connie Bungag, as well as Jason Estras and Jenson Nellas.
Thanks GM Monreal for the time spent with us and most specially, for the six years of friendship. May our country have more people like him in government. He’s a rare gem.
Joke sent by Alfred de Guzman of San Juan City
Pedro: Mag-aaply po sana ako ng sundalo, sir.
Officer: Naku, hindi ka pwede.
Pedro: Bakit po?
Officer: Ang dami mong sirang ngipin, bungi ka pa!
Pedro: Ay, bakit po sir, sa giyera ba ngayon, KAGATAN na ang labanan?
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