NGO backs review of Piatco contract

The Freedom to Fly Coalition, a non-government organization advocating the implementation of liberal civil aviation policies in the country, has expressed its support for the review by the Office of the President of the concession agreement between the government and the Philippine International Air Terminals Co., Inc. (PIATCO).

"We urge that the review be done expeditiously and in a transport manner so that this long-festering issue will finally be resolved and the national interest will be served," said Narzalina Z. Lim, Freedom to Fly Coalition chairman in a recent statement.

The Freedom to Fly Coalition has been advocating for more international flights into and out of the Philippines "to carry millions of Filipino overseas workers, cargo passengers and tourists whom we know will return to our country when international security shall have improved."

However, the group claimed that reforms in the air must be matched with reforms in ground infrastructure.

"Hence, while we welcome the development of Terminal 3 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, this terminal must serve, however, all the users in a manner that is fair and hospitable to the riding public," Lim said.

The NGO head said airport fees must be competitive with what other airports in the Asia-Pacific region are charging. "Thus, there should be competition, not a monopoly of concessions in the airport."

Lim drew attention to the Tourism Masterplan of the Philippines, completed in 1990 and adopted as the blueprint for tourism development in the country. This calls for the development of three international gateways in Luzon, to ensure that the benefits of tourism are distributed equally to the different provinces, and not concentrated in Metro Manila. These gateways are located in Laoag, Clark and Subic.

"The development of NAIA Terminal 3 should not be at the expense of other gateways which may be developed simultaneously, depending on their feasibility," Lim said.

"We offer the above principles as a guide for the work of the Review Committee. In the spirit of transparency, we suggest that all stakeholders, starting with the national and foreign air carriers and users, as represented by the Freedom to Fly Coalition, be invited to a presentation by PIATCO, and its major oppositor MASO so that the truth behind the controversial concession agreement can be brought out in the open," she concluded.