The Management Association of the Philippines said Thursday it supports public clamor for the expeditious privatization, whether by solicited or unsolicited bidding process, of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and its upgrading to global standards.
MAP emphasized the need to place the rehabilitation and operations of NAIA under private sector management, given its demonstrated capability and extensive resources in undertaking big-ticket complex public infrastructure projects.
“The case for privatization is bolstered by the many constraints that have weighed down on our country’s main air gateway, hampered in particular by tedious, inefficient and ineffective government bureaucratic processes, fiscal constraints, and compounded by lack of management autonomy,” MAP said.
The group said administrative and operational constraints have detrimental effects, manifested in the perennial cellar rating of NAIA among airports and the recent power outages that effectively paralyzed airport operations to the great detriment of air travelers, tourism as well as trade and commerce.
It also believes keeping a nearby airport will sustain if not enhance the competitive advantage of the National Capital Region and its central business districts, as a large captive market of travelers.
MAP said privatization should be undertaken in an unassailable manner with full transparency, in accordance with best practices, existing laws and regulations which provide for both solicited and unsolicited competitive bidding processes, with the objective of yielding an expeditious process, time being of the essence, and contract terms and conditions in the best public interest.
It said privatization plans should include the airside and landside and its runway, expanding aircraft movements, passenger throughput capacity, enhancing operating and maintenance processes, particularly through the introduction of modern technology, that will have a favorable impact on passenger comfort and airport security.
It will also spur the adoption of technology-aided processes to enhance passenger total experience at the airport.
MAP said a privatized NAIA can be free from bureaucratic red tape that slows down decision-making, and notes that clear-cut objectives encounter obstructive policies or practices that take years to change.