Changes in our airport

Rare it is that one would have a pleasant airport experience here in the Philippines, but it is exactly what I had as I made my way out of the country in one of the last days of the year.

I flew out recently through Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and to my pleasant surprise, I had quite an easy time. Finally, and for the first time in a long time, I actually had a smooth airport experience.

I expected otherwise, considering the holiday rush isn’t over yet but it is what it is. Perhaps, big improvements are indeed happening or I just had a lucky airport day.

I asked around and I heard from airport insiders that management, under the leadership of Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Cesar Chiong, implemented some changes to improve airport operations.

Congratulations to GM Chiong and his team for these positive changes. Putting these changes are a step toward the right direction. I’ve never met GM Chiong yet but I’ve been hearing positive things about him and his work. I hope we see more changes for the better.

Security check

For one, MIAA has announced that security check will now be done at the final inspection area located right after the immigration counters where X-ray machines, body scanners and metal detectors are in place to ensure that all passengers are screened.

The X-ray machines at the entrance of NAIA Terminal 1 have already been removed to give more room for departing travelers and their luggage as well as lessen stress, according to a OneNews report.

This move is meant to address complaints from  travelers, particularly about “too much security check at NAIA.”

More changes

I hope there will be more positive changes. I also hope last minute gate changes come to an end and I hope airlines implement faster entry of passengers at the boarding gates.

Authorities should also guard against passengers who abuse the VIP escort services in our airports. Shouldn’t this privilege apply only to dignitaries and real VIPs, which in any case already have special lanes?

If the government can implement these changes, we actually don’t need to privatize the management of NAIA as I’ve written about in the past.

I write about my experiences in our airports every chance I get because our gateways are the first and last thing visitors see when they come to the Philippines.

It’s the same for us Filipinos and at the very least, we really deserve an airport that is at par with the world.

How many times did we feel green with envy when we travel abroad and see for ourselves how efficient the airports in other countries are?

In truth and this I strongly believe – we can make our systems even better because the Filipino is really among the best in the world – both brilliant and street smart, agile and practical. We can make processes better if we put our hearts and mind into it; if we prioritize service for others instead of selfish interests; if government agencies work together and if government officials empathize with the needs of the public.

Human trafficking

More than giving Filipinos and visitors alike a smooth experience, I also fervently hope that our airport authorities continue the fight against human trafficking.

The MIAA will use a facial recognition camera and barcode to improve identification process and prevent counterfeiting of the airport’s access pass. This is good.

GM Chiong said he already ordered a probe into the reported trafficking of Filipinos using fake access passes to enter the airport.

The OneNews report said the passes of the victims were fake and their passports and boarding passes contained counterfeit immigration stamps.

This is a serious problem which could wipe out earlier gains we achieved in the fight against human trafficking.

According to the July 2022 Trafficking in Persons Report of the US State Department, the Philippines has maintained for seven consecutive years its Tier 1 ranking, the highest in the State Department’s four-tier placements.

This means the Philippines continues to meet the standards in eliminating human trafficking.

“The government of the Philippines fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking,” the report said.

“The government continued to demonstrate serious and sustained efforts during the reporting period, considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its anti-trafficking capacity; therefore the Philippines remained on Tier 1.”

The Philippines has identified more victims during the reporting period than in 2020 and has gone after more perpetrators.

The report specifically covered Philippine government efforts undertaken from April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2022.

During this period, the Philippine government identified 1,802 trafficking victims, or higher than the 1,534 recorded in 2020, according to the report.

The report also showed that the Philippines sentenced “nearly all traffickers” to significant prison terms.

The US State Department also lauded the creation of the Department of Migrant Workers.

Human trafficking, as I said, is a serious problem and it is a major crime. Our airports are the last chance where such crimes can be thwarted.

I hope that along with improved airport operations, we will also see continuous efforts against human trafficking.

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Email: [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @eyesgonzales. Column archives at EyesWideOpen on FB.