Church leaders urged the government and a private consortium to suspend new fees at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), calling for a “genuine and inclusive consultation” with stakeholders.
The appeal came after a mass on Sunday for “Guidance, Truth, and Accountability for aviation industry officials” at a chapel in Pasay City, according to a statement from the event’s organizers. The solemn service was led by Bishops Ben Labor, Aldrin Lleva and Agustino Tangca.
The bishops, who were joined by airport workers and advocacy groups, described the fee increases as “anti-people and unjust.” In a joint statement, they said public welfare should take precedence over private profit and warned that the abrupt implementation of the charges “undermines justice and burdens ordinary Filipinos, including OFWs who are already sacrificing much for their families.”
Labor said institutions like the airport should “serve the welfare of passengers and workers, including the small businesses, and not just the interests of a few powerful corporations.”
Lleva and Tangca appealed to the Supreme Court to “temporarily freeze all fees increases at the NAIA so that the concerned parties may clarify first the proceeds of such increases … and for transparency, and consequent accountability, prevail.”
PUSO ng NAIA, the group that organized the event, vowed to continue their campaign against the new fees, saying it was about upholding transparency, accountability and fairness at the country’s main airport.
“We feel our cause has strengthened immensely with the moral support given by our church leaders today. We are praying that our government officials, including NNIC and its owner, Ramon Ang, find it in their hearts to listen to our pleas,” said Romy Sauler, the head secretariat of the coalition.
