News Release – August 3, 2005
References: Connie Bragas-Regalado, Chairperson, 0927-2157392
Vince Borneo, Information Officer, 0927-7968198
THE MIGRANTE Sectoral Party criticized the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) for its move to charge fees for “special passenger assistance requests” – to provide additional passenger service and generate revenues, and on the side, curb the rampant illegal escort service practiced at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
“The so-called Meet and Assist Service (MAS) at the NAIA is nothing but a sordid innovation to get more revenues from travellers and overseas Filipino workers. It is actually an additional burden to those who take air transportation and would need some help from airport personnel.
If the airport administration really intends to serve the plane-riding public, it must extend all types of assistance free of charge,” MIGRANTE Sectoral Party chairperson Connie Bragas-Regalaso said.
According to the MIAA, “the MAS can be availed of by private individuals and entities who are willing to pay a premium for a more convenient and comfortable airport reception/send off.” No specific premium rates were specified.
“The MAS is definitely absurd. All airports must be made convenient and comfortable for OFWs, their and the general public. This “service” is not very different from the illegal escort services that the MIAA uses as a feeble “side-reason” to justify the premium or fee,” Bragas-Regalado said.
“If the MIAA is serious in stopping the extortion of money from departing and arriving passengers by certain personnel and officials in the airport, it must crackdown on the entrenched illegal escort syndicate operating in the NAIA,” she added.
The MIAA asserted that with MAS, transactions can only be made with the Public Affairs Office (PAO) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) that has more affordable rates.
“Certainly, this new ‘service’ will not curb or stop the illegal escort service or improve the hectic and chaotic situation experienced by both arriving and departing passengers at the airport.
We suggest that the MIAA stop the MAS and instead institute pro-passenger and pro-OFW reforms in the operations of the NAIA without the intent of extracting more revenue from a public already burdened by high prices and more taxes by government,” Bragas-Regalado ended. #
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MIGRANTE Sectoral Party
Office Address: 49 Mayaman corner Matahimik Sts., UP Village, Quezon City, Philippines
Telefax: (63-2) 926-2838
NEW Tel: (63-2) 920-3705
Email: migparty@tri-isys.com
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