The Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP), the country’s premier organization of business journalists, in partnership with diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC), will hold its maiden aviation forum.
The EJAP-SMC Aviation Forum is slated on Sept. 9 at the Makati Diamond Residences in Makati City.
The forum takes off a few days before the much-anticipated management transfer of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the country’s main gateway, to the private sector.
Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista will discuss what local and foreign travelers can expect once NAIA’s operation and maintenance is handed over to the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) led by SMC.
This will mark the start of the P170-billion modernization project that seeks to improve and accommodate recovering demand for air travel and address the airport’s long-standing congestion issues.
SMC chairman and chief executive Ramon Ang will deliver the opening remarks and showcase the conglomerate’s plans for NAIA.
Ang will be joined by NNIC general manager Angelito Alvarez, who will tackle NAIA’s detailed rehabilitation plan, new terminal assignments and new passenger terminal building, among others.
“The forum will provide a crucial platform for industry leaders, policymakers and stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue and share insights to the broader public,” EJAP president Neil Jerome Morales said.
Tourism Undersecretary Shahlimar Hofer Tamano will share how NAIA’s improvements will boost the country’s tourism sector, while Overseas Workers Welfare Administration chief Arnaldo Ignacio will shed light on its impact on overseas Filipino workers.
Cebu Pacific president Xander Lao, AirAsia Philippines chief executive Ricky Isla, Philippine Airlines president Captain Stanley Ng, the event’s major sponsors, will deliver speeches and participate in a panel discussion to be facilitated by Doris Dumlao-Abadilla of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
The EJAP-SMC Aviation Forum is also supported by Megaworld Corp.
