DOTr refutes Bilyonaryo story

Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista categorically denied allegations by online news portal Bilyonaryo that singularly reported NAIA’s increase in fees were not approved by the Cabinet.

Sec. Bautista said the NAIA Public-Private Partnership project was presented to the Cabinet thrice, updating President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the progress of the privatization of NAIA. 

Included in the presentations were the intended increase in airport fees to allow the private concessionaire to recover their investment in the project. 

The winning bidder, the consortium led by San Miguel Corporation, committed to pay government more than 80% of revenues from airport operations, excluding the passenger service fee.

Sec. Bautista also denied Bilyonaryo’s allegation that the project’s technical adviser Asian Development Bank only conducted one public consultation before coming out with the Terms of Reference that guided the bidding.

ADB individually met with officials of CAB (which regulates airport fees), MIAA, airlines, CAAP other airport stakeholders while benchmarking with airports in the region.

These meetings lead to the equitable increase in airport fees and rates, which according to Sec. Bautista was minimal considering the last time airport fees were increased was in year 2000.