In search of a more permanent solution

Dear Mr. Cito Beltran:

This refers to your opinion column entitled “Make it government’s business,” which came out in yesterday’s (Jan. 23) issue of The Philippine STAR.

Foremost, we wish to thank you for your concern over the presence of so-called “street hoodlums” particularly in the vicinity of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1. We take cognizance of the presence of these unscrupulous individuals — mostly young adolescents — “operating” along Ninoy Aquino Avenue especially during peak hours of flight operations.

While roads leading to and from the NAIA Terminals may be beyond the Authority’s jurisdiction, we fully recognize that the welfare and safety of the traveling public are of paramount concern. This is precisely why we have been in constant coordination with the national and local government agencies involved by way of a joint effort to address this persistent malady. We have launched several joint operations in the past but the “hoodlums” are, sad to say, back on the streets after a few days.

As a matter of fact, I called for and presided over an inter-agency meeting last 22 November 2012 to address the matter especially in anticipation of the then forthcoming Christmas season. The meeting was participated in by the Pasay City Chief of Police, officials from the Southern Police District and the PNP Aviation Security Group as well as representatives from the Pasay City and Parañaque City local governments, the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). On Jan. 22, 2013, the MMDA launched another operation at the NAIA area, netting some 45 individuals who were turned over to the Jose Fabella Community Center.

Rest assured that we are determined in our continuing effort to put an end, and in arriving at a more permanent solution, to this serious problem while taking into account applicable provisions of existing laws, local ordinances and regulations.

Thank you again for your inputs and we hope that this rejoinder finds equivalent space in your column. — MGen. JOSE ANGEL A. HONRADO, AFP (Ret), General Manager, Manila International Airport Authority