As the Asian Development Bank (ADB) claimed it only acted as adviser to the Department of Transportation on the planned airport privatization, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista vehemently insisted it had obtained Cabinet approval for such fee hikes with President Marcos himself supporting the move.
Bautista also labeled as “malicious and unfounded” the story ran by Bilyonaryo.com on the supposed lapse of DOTr in having the privatization program and the corresponding fee hikes at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport approved by the Cabinet and the President.
The ADB maintained its silence, except to say that it was just a ‘transaction adviser’ to the NAIA modernization and capacity expansion by DOTr led by Bautista and long-time sidekick Undersecretary Bobby Lim.
“ADB is not in a position to comment further on this project,” the Manila-based regional lender said in reply to a Bilyonaryo.com story.
Criticism
Bilyonaryo reported that ADB is facing criticism for approving Bautista and Lim’s decision to hold just one hearing on the airport fee hikes.
This took place months after bidders had submitted their offers, and just days before the DOTr announced the winner.
Bilyonaryo said critics are condemning the use of misleading average airfare data to justify the steep fees, which they argue were unfairly imposed on stakeholders.
“As transaction advisor, ADB’s role broadly consists of supporting DOTr in managing the project through its preparation, bid solicitation and award process, until its financial close,” the ADB explained.
Approved?
Bautista is claiming that the Cabinet approved the airport fee hikes but he did not say when.
Last July, Business World interviewed Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Eric Jose, Ines who said airport fee hikes were “still being studied” and “it is up to the Cabinet.”
The bidders submitted their offers in December and the contract was awarded in February.
He also did not explain why the lone consultation was made months after the DOTr, with ADB’s advice, had already set the rates—leaving stakeholders with no option but to accept the hikes.
Bautista claimed the increase in airport fees resulted from discussions held during multiple Cabinet meetings, thus rejecting claims that it was a unilateral decision by DOTr.
“Sinasabi dun na (It said) we approved the rates without approval from Cabinet. It passed through the Cabinet meetings. We had many Cabinet meetings to discuss this,” he said, adding that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. himself supported the move.
Bilyonaryo is reportedly standing by its story.
Bautista’s clarification follows the announcement from the San Miguel-led New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) that airport terminal fees will rise starting September next year. NNIC is the new concessionaire for the country’s main gateway.
Domestic terminal fees will increase from P200 to P550, while international passenger fees will jump from P550 to P950.
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has also raised parking rates at NAIA, effective October 1.
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #DOTr #NNIC #MIAA #NAIA