FOLLOWING a recent incident involving an unauthorized taxi that overcharged a passenger during a short trip between Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminals, the New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) announced that it is taking immediate steps to strengthen transport measures and improve passenger protection at the premier airport.
It will be recalled that the case, which went viral on social media, also led the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to dismiss five airport police officers under the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) for their alleged involvement in extortion of taxi drivers operating at the airport.
While airport police are under MIAA jurisdiction, the NNIC — as the private operator of NAIA — is working closely with the government agency and, at the same time, implementing measures to ensure incidents like this do not happen again, said NNIC general manager Lito Alvarez.
Since assuming operations in September last year, Alvarez said the NNIC has continued the transport accreditation system it inherited from the government. This setup was meant to ensure that only authorized vehicles — operating from designated booths and charging transparent rates — could pick up passengers at the terminals.
He assured that the NNIC is conducting a full audit to determine which accreditations remain valid, which contracts are expiring and which providers do not meet current standards.
Alvarez said that last December, NNIC launched a centralized transport hub at Terminal 3 for app-based ride-hailing services such as Grab and Joyride Super Taxi — to ensure orderly pickups and provide passengers safer, more convenient, and efficient transport options.
In addition, he said the NNIC has also added more CCTV cameras and deployed additional security personnel to strengthen monitoring and enforcement across the entire airport — including areas beyond terminal curbsides, adding that the expanded coverage is part of ongoing efforts to prevent unauthorized pickup of passengers.
Also, prior to the incident, he said the NNIC had already increased the number of inter-terminal shuttle buses, which run every 15 minutes — making it faster and more convenient for passengers to transfer between terminals — free of charge.
To help passengers easily identify legitimate transport providers, NNIC is looking to roll out new and more visible accreditation markings with tamper-resistant features, he assured.
The NNIC said is also expanding its monitoring systems, launching a renewed passenger awareness campaign, and introducing a digital reporting tool to make it easier for passengers to report incidents and receive timely assistance.
NNIC President Ramon S. Ang emphasized the company’s resolve to upgrade transport standards and protect the riding public.
Ang added: “Incidents like this should never happen, and we are taking immediate steps to make sure they don’t happen again. Passengers deserve a safe, fair, and stress-free experience at NAIA — and that’s exactly what we intend to deliver.”
