Thorough study needed for NAIA privatization

MANILA, Philippines — Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno supports plans to privatize the country’s main gateway Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), but maintained that a thorough study should be done.

The idea of letting the private sector take over the operations of NAIA floated anew following the fiasco on New Year’s Day where travelers were stuck at Philippine airports after a “loss of communication” at the country’s busiest hub in Manila.

This resulted in the cancellation, delay, and diversion of hundreds of domestic and international flights at the onset of 2023.

Just before 2022 ended, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the Marcos administration would pursue the privatization of NAIA.

For Diokno, doing so should be “thoroughly studied.”

“It’s a decision to be made by the President and his Cabinet. Whatever it is, DOF will support,” Diokno said in a Viber message.

“But at this time, the proposed action – whatever it is –has to be thoroughly studied. Complete staff work,” he said.

The Duterte administration earlier urged the new government to look into a possible buyer of NAIA to raise revenues that could be used to pay off debts.

Diokno earlier noted that the Marcos government would be aggressive in its privatization efforts.