TWO major labor organizations called on Congress to investigate an alleged breach in a privatization agreement covering the operations of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), warning that gaps in independent oversight could weaken public accountability and heighten national security risks.
The Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) and the National Confederation of Labor (NCL) said in a joint statement on Tuesday that the government has failed to activate a mandatory independent consultant required under the concession agreement for the modernization of NAIA.
In 2024, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Manila International Airport Authority entered into a multibillion-peso public-private partnership with New NAIA Infrastructure Corp., a consortium led by San Miguel Corp., to modernize the country’s main international gateway.
The consortium, New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC), is tasked with upgrading airport facilities, improving operations, and expanding capacity under the long-term concession deal.
“The Filipino people were promised modernization. What they are now seeing is the slow surrender of public accountability, labor protection, and national sovereignty,” BMP and NCL said.
The groups said the independent consultant mechanism — intended to provide third-party monitoring of the concession — was allegedly not activated, reportedly due to cost concerns.
Without it, they warned, there is no neutral body ensuring compliance with safeguards designed to protect the public interest.
“This is not a simple technical violation. This is a dangerous collapse of independent oversight in one of the country’s most critical national infrastructures,” the groups said. “A privatization contract without independent oversight is nothing more than a blank check handed to corporate interests.”
They also raised concerns over possible implications on border security, anti-smuggling operations, emergency response coordination, and aviation safety, citing the airport’s role in handling more than 50 million passengers annually.
“Ninoy Aquino International Airport is not an ordinary business venture. It is the country’s primary international gateway, directly tied to national security, anti-smuggling operations, anti-trafficking enforcement, emergency response, and border protection. Have we subcontracted national security?” the groups said.
The labor groups warned further that while the concessionaire is guaranteed profitability under the agreement, workers and small enterprises are absorbing the economic impact through job displacement and rising operational costs.
Romeo Sauler, president of the PUSO ng NAIA industry group, said in a separate statement that airport modernization costs are being passed on to the public through higher fees and travel expenses amid inflationary pressures and a weak peso.
“The privatization of NAIA was sold to Filipinos as the ‘golden ticket’ to modernization. But months into the deal, the public is now asking: modernization for whom? Certainly not for ordinary traveler, worker, OFW, or small entrepreneur,” Sauler said.
He added that the increased rental rates inside airport terminals have forced several small businesses to scale down or shut down operations, resulting in immediate job losses.
A broader coalition of consumer groups, commuter advocates, labor federations, migrant workers’ rights organizations, and policy experts has since convened to explore possible legal and political actions regarding the concession agreement.
Among the participating groups are Gabriela Women’s Party, Kabataan Party-list, ACT Teachers Party-list, SUKI Network, Para sa Commuters Network, Sandigan PH, Concerned Seafarers of the Philippines, Kilusang Mayo Uno, and Bayan.
