Manila, Philippines - The Philippine Senate is poised to investigate persistent operational issues at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and other national airports following recent service disruptions. During a press briefing on Monday, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri announced his intention to file a resolution to initiate a public inquiry into these malfunctions, aiming to identify responsible parties.
According to Philippines News Agency, a significant disruption occurred on March 27 at NAIA Terminal 2, where a series of power fluctuations led to a three-hour and 16-minute interruption in the power supply, impacting air conditioning units in the departure area. Zubiri also referenced problems at Laguindingan International Airport in Misamis Oriental, which he noted was in disarray, and he questioned the delayed transfer of Cagayan de Oro Airport operations to a private consortium, awarded the contract six months ago.
Senator Grace Poe also expressed concerns over the conditions at Iloilo Airport, where travelers were greeted with malfunctioning air conditioning and elevators. Poe emphasized the importance of scrutinizing how the PHP 190 million allocated in the 2024 budget for airport repairs and maintenance at Iloilo Airport is being spent, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in the use of these funds.