Groups slam ADB role in NAIA-NNIC deal

A group on Tuesday slammed the Asian Development Bank (ADB) over its role in the concession agreement between the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the New NAIA Infra Corporation (NNIC), saying that the burden of airport modernization is being placed on the public. 

Romy Sauler, a former Philippine Airlines employee and head secretariat of PUSO ng NAIA, condemned the ADB for what he called an “unconscionable dictate” that passengers, workers, and stakeholders should bankroll airport improvements instead of the private concessionaire.

“This is highway robbery dressed up as development,” Sauler said in a press briefing, adding that they reject "this indecent proposal.”

For his part, Ding Villasin, secretary general of labor group Socialista Inc., alleged that the concession agreement violates both democratic process and social justice principles.

“The ADB itself has global standards on transparency and stakeholder consultation, yet in this case, it allowed the Marcos administration, MIAA, and DOTr to ram through a deal without the voice of the very people who will pay for it. This is development at gunpoint—undemocratic, anti-worker, and anti-consumer,” Villasin said. 

The groups condemned the ADB for allegedly recommending that consumers, concessionaires, and workers bear the cost of NAIA’s redevelopment under the private-public partnership model.

ADB responds

Sought for comment, ADB Country Director of the Philippines Country Office Andrew Jeffries said, “ADB acts as a Transaction Advisor, assisting government agencies like the DOTr in structuring and implementing sustainable infrastructure projects and PPPs.”

“Our role is strictly advisory, providing support in project preparation, financial structuring, and tender management. ADB does not have the authority to grant approvals on any aspect of the transaction, including for revisions to NAIA fees and charges,” he added.

The groups said their picket in front of the ADB headquarters in Manila was meant to denounce what they call the “ADB’s indecent proposal” and demand an immediate stop to the planned hikes.

Airport workers, civic organizations, and non-government groups earlier asked the Supreme Court to declare the NAIA PPP project unconstitutional due to the increase of airport-related fees.

Through the PPP project, the management of the airport was transferred to the San Miguel-led  NNIC. — BM, GMA Integrated News