Two prominent labor coalitions are calling on government authorities to launch a thorough investigation into the privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), warning that the deal threatens national security and worker welfare.
In a joint statement, the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) and the National Confederation of Labor (NCL) demanded independent oversight to ensure public accountability is maintained under the current operational setup.
“The Filipino people were promised modernization. What they are now seeing is the slow surrender of public accountability, labor protection, and national sovereignty,” the labor groups said.
The organizations expressed deep concern over the landmark 2024 agreement signed by the Department of Transportation and the Manila International Airport Authority with the San Miguel Corporation-led New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation (NNIC) to rehabilitate and operate the country’s primary gateway.
According to the BMP and NCL, lawmakers must scrutinize whether the state gave up too much control to private entities, alleging that crucial independent oversight mechanisms were bypassed under the pretext of cost-cutting.
“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. A privatization contract without independent oversight is nothing more than a blank check handed to corporate interests,” the groups said.
The labor groups also questioned the wisdom of transferring control of a facility vital to national defense and border control.
“NAIA 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?” they added.
Beyond security risks, the coalitions warned of massive worker displacement and the displacement of micro-businesses inside the terminal complex.
Echoing these concerns, Romeo Sauler, president of the industry group PUSO ng NAIA, claimed that the private consortium quickly passed the modernization costs onto the public through hiked airport fees amid challenging economic conditions marked by high inflation and a weak local currency.
Sauler added that soaring rental rates have already forced multiple small vendors to close down, triggering immediate layoffs.