MIAA chief admits sanitary lapse at NAIA

FILE: Passengers at NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City queue at the check-in counter as it resumes its operation after Air Traffic Management Center of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines experienced a technical issue on Sunday (Jan. 1, 2023) (PNA photo by Yancy Lim)

MANILA – The acting general manager of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) on Monday admitted to the sanitary lapses hounding the country’s main gateway, saying there is no one else to blame but himself.

Eric Jose Ines’ remarks came as several video footage emerged on social media showing the presence of a rat, cockroaches and bed bugs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

“Hindi na po ako magtuturo… Kasalanan ko po ito. Marami tayong dapat ayusin (I will not put the blame on others. This is my fault. There are many things that need to be fixed),” Ines said during MIAA’s flag ceremony.

He called on employees to help him address the issues, saying he could not do it alone.

Ines apologized to those reportedly bitten by bed bugs and had ordered inspection and enhanced sanitation measures and fumigation of metal chairs and the removal of rattan chairs.

In a radio interview, Ines said he would talk to the four pest control contractors Monday afternoon.

Revocation of their contracts is possible if there were lapses in their job, he assured.

As added solutions, Ines said he instructed the terminal managers to focus on sanitation, aside from facilities such as broken elevators and escalators.

Ines said he is also looking at revising the contract of pest controllers, and prohibiting passengers from putting their bags on the chairs.

“Because (bed bugs) could also come from their bags, and so that other people could use the chairs,” he said.