If you're not taking a flight, why loiter at the airport?
As part of efforts at eliminating "eyesores" inside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the head of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has revealed that he is planning to remove the benches at the NAIA Terminal 3 arrival area.
MIAA General Manager Eric Ines said the benches will be removed after Holy Week at the request of the terminal manager and other officials who expressed concern that individuals entering the terminal to sleep or pass the time could pose a risk to well-wishers.
"Napupuno na. Yung iba, well-wishers, yung iba, tambay na lang. Masarap daw kasi aircon. We are not totally discouraging but after maghatid, sana ay umalis na kaagad, wag na mag-loiter. (The area is becoming crowded with well-wishers, while others are just hanging out. The air conditioning makes them comfortable. We are not completely against their presence, but we hope they will depart soon after seeing off their passengers. They should leave immediately)," the airport manager explained.
He said the number of people loitering, slumped and sleeping on the floors has become an "ugly sight" and a "problem" for those maintaining order and security in the area.
Ines, however, urged the public to refrain from gathering in large groups at the airport terminal and to limit their time in the departure or arrival areas.
Terminal 3 can accommodate around 13 million passengers annually, with 24 gates and 140 check-in counters available.
It is also the only premier airport terminal where outsiders are being allowed inside for long periods of time.
The airport chief said MIAA Senior Assistant General Manager Lourdes "Beng" Reyes went around Terminal 3 in disguise.
She chanced upon a man sleeping on the gangchairs and asked if he was waiting for a passenger, to which the man replied that he was simply there to rest and take advantage of the air conditioning.
Ines added that with the expected surge of passengers this Holy Week, additional uniformed policemen and security personnel will be deployed to provide added protection to the passengers and airport visitors, all the way up to the time that the benches will be removed.
Another problem being posed by overcrowding in the area is the difficulty of distinguishing between genuine well-wishers and individuals with malicious or criminal intentions.
In the past, there have been instances of theft in the area by criminals who were disguised as people waiting for their passengers to arrive.
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #MIAA #