EVERYTIME something wrong happens at any of the NAIA Terminals, its management gets blamed, almost automatically.
It remains unknown to many, or maybe even to most, that while the NAIA terminals are under the supervision of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), the agency has no total power over the agencies operating within the said airports.
Apart from the airline companies, among those operating inside the airport terminals are the Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Quarantine, National Bureau of Investigation, PNP-Aviation Security Group and the Office for Transport Security.
All these agencies operate independently; their personnel report directly to their respective heads. They are directly under the national government, not the MIAA.
This is why I feel so bad for the new MIAA general manager, Cesar Chiong, a simple guy who was plucked by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista from the quiet corporate world, to help him run the MIAA.
Sec. Bautista once told airport media that he personally asked GM Chiong and senior assistant Bryan Co to run the airport terminals, vouching for their integrity, character and capabilities, having been former co-workers at the Philippine Airlines, the country’s flag carrier and leading airline company.
Unfortunately for GM Chiong, numerous negative events have taken place since he assumed office, none of which is his fault nor of his underlings, the most recent of which are the complaints of foreign passengers against unscrupulous members of the OTS, happening one after another.
In fairness to OTS administrator Ma. O Aplasca, he swiftly acted on the complaint when he removed the personnel involved and vowed that appropriate actions will be taken against them once investigation as part of due process is done.
Just the same, many were quick to blame the NAIA management and brand it as the worst airport.
For this, I pity GM Chiong who bears the brunt of others’ wrongdoings. I’m pretty sure too, that he is shocked at how brazen some in government can be.
Amid all these, GM Chiong remains optimistic that the MIAA will overcome all these, as he called on the airport workers and stakeholders to support and help his administration achieve its goal of providing the best travel experience for air passengers, when he addressed them at the celebration of the authority’s 41st anniversary recently.
Officials from the Department of Transportation (DOTr), led by Secretary Jaime Bautista, the Airline Operators Council (AOC), executives from Cebu Pacific, AirAsia Philippines and Philippine Airlines, airport stakeholders and former MIAA general managers (GM) also attended the occasion hosted by GM Chiong himself.
“We’re very, very happy that everyone’s here tonight. We really wanted to invite all of the former GMs because they are part of MIAA’s history,” said Chiong, referring to the agency’s illustrious history, which dates back to its creation in 1982 to administer and operate the Manila International Airport (MIA), the airport’s previous name before it was renamed the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
“I know MIAA has very honest people, very good people, so we will be able to overcome all of these problems, all of these issues that we’re facing right now. And I hope that you will all support our management, our initiatives. Our focus is to make sure that we will deliver the best service to our riding public and to our fellow Filipinos,” Chiong said to the MIAA workforce.
For his part, DOTr Sec. Jaime Bautista, in his message during the program, said: “Magtulong-tulong tayo upang ang travel experience ng ating mga pasahero ay maging convenient, accessible, affordable, and safe. Ito po ay maipagmamalaki natin sa ating mga pasahero, sa ating bisita, sa ating mga turista.”
“Ang Manila International Airport ay magiging isa sa pinakamagandang airport sa buong mundo, hindi lang dito sa Asya,” he added, reiterating MIAA’s dedication to service excellence and continuous improvement, as well as its mission of transforming NAIA into a world-class airport.
In so short a time, GM Chiong was able to introduce significant measures such as removal of the initial security check in the four NAIA Terminals, re-laying out NAIA Terminal 3 to make room for more immigration counters, reassignment of Terminal 2 to cater to all domestic flights and digitalization projects aimed at creating a more seamless journey for travelers.
It’s good to know that the one managing our premier airport terminals does not allow himself to get distracted by concomitant problems that easily.
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