Manila, Philippines — The Philippine Senate is set to investigate a series of breakdowns in airport facilities, including malfunctioning air-conditioning systems and elevators, that have plagued travelers at the country’s major airports.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri announced on Monday that he will file a resolution to launch a public inquiry into the issues, which have been reported at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and other airports across the country.
The move comes after a series of incidents, including a three-hour power outage at NAIA Terminal 2 last month, which affected air handling units at the departure area. The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) attributed the outage to a series of power fluctuations.
Zubiri expressed concern over the state of airport facilities, citing the Laguindingan International Airport in Misamis Oriental as “very messy” and resembling a public market.
The senator also questioned the delay in the transfer of the Cagayan de Oro Airport to a private sector consortium, which was awarded the contract six months ago.
Senator Grace Poe, who chairs the Senate committee on public services, also weighed in on the issue, urging airport officials to address the problems to avoid giving travelers a “literal warm welcome.” Poe was referring to reports of malfunctioning air-conditioning systems and elevators at Iloilo Airport, which have made the facilities unbearable for passengers.
Poe also sought an accounting of the PHP 190 million allocated in the 2024 budget for the Iloilo Airport’s repairs and maintenance, which she had pushed for during deliberations to ensure that the funds benefit the people.
The Senate inquiry is expected to determine who is accountable for the breakdowns and what measures can be taken to prevent such incidents in the future. The probe is seen as a crucial step in improving the country’s airport facilities, which are critical to the nation’s tourism and economic development.
In recent years, the Philippines has experienced a surge in tourist arrivals, with many visitors citing the country’s airports as a major entry point. The breakdowns in airport facilities have raised concerns over the country’s ability to accommodate the growing number of travelers.
The Senate’s investigation is expected to get underway in the coming weeks, with lawmakers seeking to get to the bottom of the issues plaguing the country’s airports.
