MANILA, Philippines — Acting Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez inspected facilities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) on Saturday as the agency prepares for the expected influx of passengers during the holiday season.
In a statement, Lopez said passengers must be comfortable while traveling to their respective destinations.
“That is why we are promoting digitalization at the airport with the NNIC [New Naia Infra Corp.] so that the overall passenger travel experience becomes faster and more convenient, especially as the holiday season approaches,” Lopez said in Filipino in a DOTr-issued statement.
According to the DOTr, baggage check-in at the Naia departure area is currently faster and more convenient due to the availability of self-check-in and bag drop counters.
“It is expected that immigration queues at the arrival area for passengers and OFWs will move faster and become shorter with the new e-gates equipped with facial recognition and passport scanning,” it added.
“Passenger safety will also be ensured, and illegal entry will be prevented because of the added security and verification features,” the DOTr said.
The agency said self-check-in and bag drop counters are already operational, while the PRS e-gates and border control e-gates are expected to be launched in the second week of December.
Lopez, in a separate statement, said the newly constructed Tambayan Food Hall and Food Village in the Naia Terminal 3 departure area will greatly benefit passengers, employees, and other airport users.
“There are many dining options and free WiFi. In addition, the place is airy, bright, and spacious,” he said in Filipino.
According to the DOTr, the Tambayan Food Hall, with a 2,500-seat capacity, hosts various food concessionaires from across the country and includes Halal-certified options. The Departure Food Village, meanwhile, has a 500-seat capacity.
Both facilities will open on December 8, the agency said.
NNIC President and San Miguel Corp. CEO Ramon Ang earlier said the NNIC remitted about P57 billion to the national government in just one year of its privatized operations at the Naia.
Meanwhile, the Naia workers’ group Pagkakaisa ng mga Users, Stakeholders at Obrero ng Naia (PUSO ng Naia) earlier denounced alleged irregularities in the P1.5-trillion public-private partnership between the DOTr and NNIC for the airport’s redevelopment. Both the agency and the private operator denied the allegations. /jpv