MANILA, Philippines – A lawmaker wants to investigate the supposed mismanagement at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the country's main gateway that has been tagged again as the "worst airport in the world."
Valenzuela City First District Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian has filed House Resolution 909, which seeks a congressional inquiry into the mismanagement in the administration and operations of NAIA. He also wants concerned government agencies to institute measures to erase the airport's "disturbing label."
In his resolution, Gatchalian cited the 2013 online survey of travel website "A Guide to Sleeping in Airports," which again ranked NAIA as the world's worst airport.
The online poll found that the NAIA Terminal 1 lacked in comfort, convenience, cleanliness and customer service.
Gatchalian also lamented that the 30-year-old airport also earned the same distinction in 2010 and landed in the worst category in 2011 and 2012.
He said while the airport's problems are already being addressed, "problems of an old and congested terminal, the same complaints of bribery, lack of comfortable seats, rude staff and poor facilities hound us and continue to be a challenge for the government."
"Negative assessments that tend to overshadow the beauty and world class tourist destinations in the country should be carefully reviewed and addressed to provide solutions," Gatchalian said.
The lawmaker said Congress should review and be provided with an update on the P1.16-billion budget approved by the government on November 2011 that aims to revive the NAIA Terminal 1 as a world-class transport facility.
Gatchalian's statements came days after President Benigno Aquino III apologized for the delayed delivery of new air conditioning chillers at the NAIA Terminal 1. - Louis Bacani
Read: PNoy: Sorry for NAIA aircon woes