Poe backs Naia privatization with penalties for service lapses

Senator Grace Poe reiterated her support for the privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), emphasizing the need for penalties against concessionaires for any service lapses.

Poe, who heads the Senate Committee on Public Services, stated that privatizing Naia is a long-overdue measure.

She stressed that the government must establish an accomplishment timeline, performance metrics, and penalties for the private entity to ensure it fulfills its commitments to enhance air services.

According to Poe, privatization could have prevented the recent glitches that disrupted flight schedules and inconvenienced numerous travelers.

She also mentioned that a Senate committee report had previously recommended the operation of the airport by a private entity.

Poe believes that modernizing Naia's air traffic control and operations through privatization could have averted past issues.