Various consumer group urged the government to cancel the privatization contract of Ninoy Aquino International Airport and San Miguel Corporation, as it continue to increase airport fees that could eventually affect airfares.

SUKI Spokesperson Amihan Mabalay noted that since last year several fees like landing fee, take off fee, rent fee had gone up. By September, terminal fees are expected to rise.

“Tayo ang magbabayad ng mas mataas na terminal fee from P550 to 950. Iba diyan ang take off and landing fees na tataas ng 1,500 percent,” Mabalay said.

Malabay added the hikes in fees could eventually push airfares up, which would make it more difficult for airlines to have so-called “piso fares” or promos.

Meanwhile, Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Co said filed a resolution to investigate the privatization of NAIA, which would include looking into whether the deal went through proper processes and if it was constitutional.

At least two petitions have also been filed before the Supreme Court questioning the said deal.

“Pwedeng magkaroon ng executive order na pirmahan at iexecute si Marcos para itigil yung implementation ng joint venture agreement given that napakadaming layers of unconstitutionality and illegality,” Co noted.

Kilusang Mayo Uno Chairperson Jerome Adonis added, “Meron bang improvement? Wala. Bakit? Nagpapatuloy ang maraming delayed na flights, napakatindi ng pila… Nandyan pa rin mga nawawalang gamit.”

Other groups who joined the press conference are Bayan, Migrante Philippines, Sandigan Philippines, and the Concerned Seafarers of the Philippines. They all want NAIA privatization stopped and asserted that government has the funds to improve the airport without having to increase airport fees.

The Manila International Airport Authority, regulator of NAIA and the previous operator of the airport, disagreed with the groups.

MIAA General Manager Eric Ines said there had been a lot of improvements and more were coming. He added that government cannot fully fund all these improvements.

“Privatization really helps. It really helps the government in trying to improve the airport, to make passengers more convenient ang kanilang travels etc,” Ines said.

He added that the Philippine Village Hotel was being demolished to pave the way for the new NAIA Terminal 5, while the old NAIA terminal 4 had been demolished and would be relocated between NAIA 1 and 2.