By Dale V. Calanog
TRANSPORTATION Secretary Arthur P. Tugade did not waste a single minute since he took office this month. In just a week after assuming the post of the transportation chief, he already signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with airlines to help improve the sorry state of the country’s main gateway.
Under the MOA signed with executives of local airlines, carriers will provide limited maintenance for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s (Naia) four terminals.
Specifically, local carriers committed to improve and maintain the public restrooms at the four terminals under the management of the Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa), without financial assistance from the government.
Philippine Airport Ground Support Solutions Inc. will handle the Naia Terminal 1, Philippine Airlines for Naia Terminal 2, Cebu Pacific, Naia Terminal 3, and Cebgo and Philippines AirAsia, Terminal 4.
Tugade is confident the agreement with the airline executives “would yield better services to the riding public and would lessen complaints regarding the condition of public restrooms at the main gateway of the Philippines.”
Miaa General Manager Ed Monreal said more than the financial aid provided through the MOA, it would also ensure the availability of supplies.
“It would quicken the purchase of supplies, as it would not go through bidding anymore,” Monreal said.
Aside from the maintenance of public restrooms, Monreal is looking to resolve the issues of bullet planting, decongestion of airports and nonavailability of transportation. Tugade said Internet connection in the terminals would also be available soon. Monreal said in a month or so, Wi-Fi networks are expected to be installed for public consumption.