Solon seeks inquiry into NAIA pest problem

House Deputy Minority Leader Marissa Magsino called for a congressional inquiry into the presence of bedbugs, rats, and other pests at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Magsino made the call under her House Resolution 1615, saying the presence of the pests, on top of long queues at immigration counters, impacted the convenience and health of travelers and tarnished the country’s image.

“While these incidents initially highlight the inefficiency of the airport’s pest control and maintenance systems, they raise more significant concerns regarding public health safety,” Magsino said.

“We recognize that the officials of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) immediately addressed the complaints on bed bugs, rats, and cockroaches in NAIA. However, we have to look into the compounded issues, more so since NAIA has revenues to address basic operational concerns such as sanitation and congestion.”

The representative noted that in 2023 alone, MIAA’s net income from terminal fees, concession privileges, and aeronautical fees reached at least P3 billion.

“Kaya’t tayo’y nagtataka kung bakit ang sanitation at traffic congestion sa palibot ng NAIA ay malaking isyu kung may pondo naman sa maayos na pagpapatakbo ng ating paliparan. Nais lamang natin malaman ang puno’t dulo nito upang magkaroon ng komprehensibong solusyon,” Magsino said.

(That is why we are baffled over why NAIA’s sanitation and traffic congestion troubles reached this point when they have enough funds to operate and maintain the airport. We want to get to the bottom of this and find a solution.)

“Sa pagsalang ng hearing, mabibigyan din ng pagkakataon ang ating MIAA officials na ipaliwanag ang kanilang mga hakbang na ginagawa. In the end, we all just want to push for NAIA’s competitiveness as an international gateway and safeguard the interests of passengers, especially our OFWs,” she added.

(In facing a congressional inquiry, MIAA officials can offer explanations on the measures they are taking to address these problems.)

Magsino said in her resolution that NAIA’s maintenance and housekeeping activities, streamlining of immigration processing, re-configuring the dedicated use of the terminals, laying down a rational traffic routing system within its premises and immediate exit and entry points, and building additional car parking facilities, should be a part of the current management and operational priorities even as the government is eyeing privatization of NAIA. — DVM, GMA Integrated News