A salute to Sec. Jimmy Bautista and Ramon Ang

NAIA’s decrepit state and chaotic passenger experience has brought much shame to the country. It is a national embarrassment. Whether we like it or not, NAIA has become a metaphor for the country’s wild west ways. It is our primary gateway, after all. The national government has proven incapable of getting NAIA’s act together, not because they don’t want to but because our laws don’t give them the flexibility to do so.

There have been at least four attempts to privatize NAIA. We recall two unsolicited proposals from a consortium of conglomerates, an unsolicited proposal by Philippine Airlines and the retracted award to Megawide-GMR.

But all these attempts failed. Why? Because the syndicates who operate NAIA’s various functionalities sabotaged the privatization process and past presidents succumbed to them.

NAIA embodies the characteristics of government – corrupt, inefficient, riddled with syndicates and bureaucratically paralyzed. It operates according to the lowest acceptable quality standards.

It took the quiet determination of Secretary Jimmy Bautista to finally complete NAIA’s privatization. Secretary Jimmy is a methodical leader with unyielding resolve. We recall how he transformed Philippine Airlines from one of the world’s most maligned airlines to one of the best, earning a 4-Star rating.

Amid great obstacles, Secretary Jimmy completed NAIA’s privatization in record time. It took just 13 months from the time BBM gave the green light to the final award. It took the DOTr and ADB (government’s privatization consultant) only six weeks to evaluate the winning bids. This is a record for a privatization deal of this scale.

We salute Secretary Jimmy for this achievement. Indeed, Secretary Jimmy is an honest and hardworking public servant, not to mention a humble man. I count him as among the great Filipinos of our time.

We also express gratitude to BBM for green lighting projects and ignoring the syndicates that attempted to sabotage this privatization.

SMC and Ramon Ang

San Miguel Corporation, led by Ramon S. Ang, emerged the winner of the bid. By now, the concession agreement must have been signed, with no less than President Marcos as witness.

As someone who closely follows Philippine business and politics, I can say that SMC is the most deserving candidate of the lot.

For one, SMC’s proposal is the most advantageous to government. Over the concession period of 15 years, government stands to earn P900 billion as opposed to just P25 billion if left in MIAA’s hands. Government would have earned only P416 billion under the second highest bidder.

Also to be considered is RSA’s track record of building strong and building fast. Testament to this is NAIA-X, Metro Manila Skyway and SMC’s power generation plants. But the best thing about RSA’s ventures is that they operate profitably, even with generous concessions to government and enormous amortization costs.

Any competitor will find it difficult to beat RSA in public biddings. This is because RSA is not motivated by profit per se, but puts a premium on public service. Plus, he is able to extract profits in areas where others cannot, what with the enormous synergies he can harness across the SMC Group. The country’s largest conglomerate has a business spanning at least ten industries including food & beverage, tollways, railways, petroleum, power, airports and tourism.

On a personal note, I am happy that RSA won the bid since in my family’s eyes, it is just recompense for the kindness he extended to my late mother-in-law, Deedee Siytangco (who served in the government of Cory Aquino). Mom passed away last September. Mom counted RSA as a dear friend who quietly supported many of her religious endeavors.

By Sept. 15, SMC will officially take management control over NAIA. As a frequent traveler, allow me to share some pain points in the hopes RSA’s management may address them.

Not to be anti-poor but the roads leading to Terminals 1 and 2 do not do any service to the country’s reputation as a progressive emerging economy. We must put our best foot forward and show progress, not squalor.

The drop-off areas in all terminals are chaotic. Some terminals require x-ray upon entry which is outdated these days. The visual clutter inside the terminals (with exaggeratingly large billboards) is too much. They add to the feeling of chaos.

Air-conditioning in all terminals is a game of chance. Illumination and ventilation are poor. Airline PA systems are out of control. Again, they add to travel stress and chaos. Long lines and dense conditions for immigration, especially in NAIA 3.

Insufficient number of x-ray machines for hand-carry bags in all terminals. Insufficient number of rest rooms, urinals, toilets and poor maintenance. Low quality immigration booths with household cams reek of Third World. Insufficient seating in the waiting areas of gates, especially in Terminals 1 and 2.

There is no easy way to transfer from one terminal to another except through expensive taxis or shuttle buses with long queues.

In baggage claim, baggage carts are rusty and falling apart, especially in Terminal 1. Baggage carousels in Terminal 1 make disturbing noises as they vibrate vigorously.

Arrival level driveway in Terminal 1 is reserved for VIPs which is unfair to the public. The pick-up area in Terminal 1 is decrepit and filthy. Welcomers in Terminal 1 are made to wait behind a fence which is dehumanizing. Traffic flow for pick up is chaotic.

And of course, aesthetics matter and NAIA has a poor game. For me, Bangalore’s new airport represents the next generation of modern gateways and a worthy benchmark for NAIA.

I look forward to the day when NAIA can stand head and shoulders with the world’s best. NAIA needs redeeming – and by extension, so does the reputation of government and the country.

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Email: [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @aj_masigan