Tulfo wants NAIA long lines, faulty e-gates probed

MANILA, Philippines — Numerous complaints of long passenger lines and persistent malfunctioning of electronic gates at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) prompted Sen. Raffy Tulfo to call anew for a Senate investigation on these problems.

Tulfo, who chairs the Senate committee on public services, filed Senate Resolution 1069, calling for an inquiry into the issues hounding the country’s main gateway.

“The airport’s e-gate scanners for passengers often fail to read passport and boarding pass. So they will be forced to queue for manual processing, which doubles the time spent at the immigration counters,” Tulfo said.

Due to these delays, Tulfo noted that some travelers were unable to catch their flights.

“It also creates commotion at the airport since travelers start to get mad or argue with other passengers in the line,” Tulfo said.

He said the Department of Transportation should set up an information booth manned by DOTr personnel to guide passengers needing assistance with their flights and travel concerns.

Tulfo noted that departing passengers were not able to board their international flights due to prolonged immigration screenings.

“The non-operational escalators, walkalators, carousels and tubes add to their burden,” he said.