A world-class airport at last—in Manila

The pending renovation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is hot topic.

- DEEDEE M. SIYTANGCO

Yes, we all agree, it’s about time we saw a modern NAIA. We expect no less once this pandemic is all over. Thank you, Secretary Art Tugade, for pursuing this project! We are referring here to four terminals—the oldest, Terminal 1, PAL’s T-2, the newest, Terminal 3, and the local terminal 4.

This has been a long time coming and it seemed all set to take off with a winning bidder, the Megawide Construction Corporation no less. It has a reputable reputation as my good friend Ed Manda, former GM of Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), now GM at NAIA, confirmed to me recently.

But there has been attempts to derail this worthwhile and much needed renovation.

The biggest scare bomb that has been hurled at the project is that the proponent Megawide will terminate all employees at NAIA. Now that is a fearsome scenario. Imagine all the thousands of unemployed added to the ranks of the present jobless lot because of the economic meltdown in this pandemic? No way, Jose!

But this is fake news. According to Megawide, they will surely adhere to the proper government-mandated process for employees, as they did at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

No one raised a howl in Cebu when the corporation renovated the terminal, which is now ranked among the most beautiful airports in the world! The multi-awarded terminal is such a delight. Designed with great care and attention, it highlights the beauty of Cebu.