‘Publicity war’ at NAIA-3 bewailed

A group of non-government organizations bewailed yesterday the quarrel between business interests at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal-3, claiming that the conflict is damaging the image of the country.

The Protect the Filipino (ProFil) Movement said a business group operating at the NAIA is succeeding to convince locals and foreigners that our premier international airport is unsafe for air travelers.

"MIA-NAIA Association of Service Operators’ (Maso) campaign against Piatco, the developers NAIA Terminal 3, has turned into a demolition job that is hurting the Philippines’ image," Jose Escartin, director of ProFil said, suggesting that Maso should bring their case before the proper courts instead of resorting to trial by publicity.

According to Escartin, only owners of companies who are members of Maso are complaining on the safety of NAIA 3 and trying very hard to convince everybody that the NAIA Terminal 3 is unsafe.

"This keeps us wondering why we still have international flights when everybody knows international airlines strictly require international safety standards," he said adding it leads to the next question – If it’s unsafe, why would Maso members insist on keeping their businesses at NAIA 3?

Industry observers said the quarrel between Maso members and Piatco stemmed from the demand by the former to operate at the NAIA 3 at their old terms.

It is expected that Piatco will increase rates for business operators at the NAIA 3 to recover its multi-billion investment in building the world-class terminal.

Escartin said Maso should stop its "scare tactics" for it is not only hurting the investors in the new airport terminal but also the country "as this would result in the decline of tourist arrivals and investors confidence."

"While our President flies to other countries to invite investors and build confidence on our country, some businessmen are doing exactly the opposite," he said.

According to Escartin, we have the courts where these companies can turn to for their protection.

"They don’t have to destroy the economy to protect their profits" he stressed, adding that at the end of the day it is the ordinary Filipino who suffers most.