Why there is bedlam at the airport

My column on the sorry state at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport drew a torrent of reaction. Most argued the state of the NAIA symbolizes the condition of the country – It is making do with institutions that are no longer useful or effective. That is the heart of the issue. Jeremias Cachola <[email protected]>wrote: As a Filipino working in Shandong he saw China’s different airports. Our airport cannot compare. He complains about ‘immigration officers chatting and ‘making kwento’ with each other mindless of the long line of people. The counters are dilapidated, paint peeling off and generally in disrepair. He suspects placard-carrying greeters at the door of arriving flights are BI scalawags who escort illegal Chinese without passing thru the regular immigration counter but at a special lane for illegal activities at the airport. No country in the world has this privelege of greeters as soon as the airplane arrives.

In an interview with airport general manager, Edgardo Manda confirmed this suspicion. In fact, he said the airport inefficiencies we see are only the tip of the iceberg. Beneath the seemingly working airport, despite the bedlam, are dozens of syndicates that are not under hiscontrol. The first layer of security is under PNP. He cannot interfere with their work. His management begins on the second layer of security – luggage checking, shoe inspection and the like. Is there anyway we can put some order in the first layer? Oscar L. Paras, the OIC said they have reinstalled steel railings to segregate passengers from well-wishers. Some of these well-wishers could also be part of lucrative human smuggling. The teary good-byes and waiting for the passenger to board masks signals from the syndicate when a smuggled passenger has safely passed the barriers.

Manda says there are no guidelines for airport authority with a comprehensive mandate on what can and what cannot be done and who is or who is not in charge. It is everybody’s game, literally, the PNP, the POEA, BI, BIR, name it, all want a slice of the pie. Manda, who used to be in the private sector, can only work within the messy structure that has built up from administration after administration. He admits to his helplessness. Wide open spaces will help expose criminal activities under the cover of bedlam.

Why can’t NAIA 3 be rushed to end the public’s ordeal? He said there were still some legal kinks but once these are hurdled they should move to the bigger and more modern airport. He reckons towards the end of next year. With a proper structure and a comprehensive independent airport authority, they can solve the problem. The suffering public will just have to grit their teeth, bear with difficulties, until that time. The airport public is a multitude in a country with more than seven million workers abroad and still growing each day. But what if the rains come and the queues, albeit with proper railings, will have an unexpected bath before departure. I hear there is also a solution for that. They will put up tents outside for shelter. Now what do you think of that – an international airport with tents for cover?

Here are excerpts from airport sufferers: James Litton <[email protected]> wrote it took him and his grandson 1/2 hours to get to the terminal door! He almost missed their flight if the Thai Airway’s ground manager not delayed the flight. Barry Williams wrote it is an embarrassment to the people of the Philippines so why is it taking time to open NAIA 3. From Bruce Bennie <[email protected]>: I can vouch for the accuracy of every word you wrote. I took a visitor from Bangkok to the airport only a week ago and it was exactly as you described it. An absolute disgrace. I don’t think there could be another airport anywhere in the world like it. Certainly not in the whole of Asia I apologised to my friend and said this is the Philippines We are still a very backward country compared to the rest of Asia. I am a foreign resident and cannot vote in the forthcoming elections However if I could I would ask every candidate for President. What are you going to do about the airport and how are you going to fix it? He stopped an elderly relative visiting him next month. The airport hassle will be too much for her.

From Cebu a writer requested anonymity: I was so glad that somebody finally wrote about the chaos in our airport. The problem is not only in NAIA but also in Cebu-Mactan. The checkpoint for cars is a waste of time and money. Anyone with ill-intentions would put their bombing gadgets in a bag or box which will never be inspected. You were totally right in all your observations. Observe for 5 minutes and employees of concessionaires can get in without going thru the same process we passengers have to go through. A person with ill-intentions can easily smuggle bombing gadgets with the aid of these employees. I suggest we send our airport managers abroad to Malaysia, Singapore and HongKong to see how well these are run.

Nino and Bonnie<[email protected]. wrote "Airport Bedlam" hit the bullseye. We have a brand new airport sitting empty because of political boondoggle. I have nothing against GMA as I am not a voter but as a visitor , it is a shame what goes on daily at that airport. To GMA – please open NAIA 3 before the tourists say "the hell with Manila".

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