Major General Jose Angel A. Honrado of MIAA has replied to the letter posted on January 27 re: the airport system.
![ph2-070810-pnoy_miaa]()
Aquino administers the oath of office to retired General Jose Angel Honrado as MIAA General Manager
Please read on. There is an email address below. Should you choose to use it, please write politely.
I am so not satisfied with his reply about the toilets and the airport tax.
Where do our airport taxes go?
According to Wikipedia, "In 2009 the airport saw growth of 11.4% to 24.1 million passengers, making it the 51st in the world's busiest airports by passenger traffic."
Let's do the math: 24.1 million x PHP 750 airport tax = PHP 18,075,000,000.
18 freaking billion pesoses.
Where does this money go??
We could've hired Philippe Starck to do all the toilets and have more than PHP 17 billion pesoses left.
Mr. Honrado wrote:
"I am aware of its present state, most specially the infamous rest rooms. Yes, they are small and in sad state; but we have not been sleeping. Over the last few months we have repaired four sets of rest rooms at the arrival area in time for the christmas arrivals. We are now doing the rest rooms at the departure area at 1 set every 25 days. Soon we will go to the departure gates. We are trying to undo years of neglect; all I ask is give us more time. It can not be done overnight, though truly there is no excuse for dirty and non-operational ones."
(end quote)
I am just shocked at the "we have not been sleeping" and "it can not be done overnight" statements.
There is really no excuse. Toilets can be renovated in a matter of days.
Just hire architects with really good taste, buy everything at Kuysen or Dexterton and get to work.
I hope we get to see some changes by Holy Week when we fly out.
There is no excuse with all the money people pay to get out of NAIA.
DOT please get to work.
People, don't forget to sign up on Facebook.
Let's get the numbers and show them we mean business.
Tama na ang corruption sa NAIA because it's showing!!
Shame!
![Terminal 1, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines]()
Shame!
![NAIA Terminal 1]()
Shame!
![NAIA]()
* * *
Letter from Major General Jose Angel A. Honrado
Dear Atty. Oposa / Ms. Anna Oposa,
First of all allow me to thank you for your letter and my assurances that your observations will not fall on deaf ears.
However, let me clarify some items. I am aware that one of the major issues confronting air travelers worldwide is the issue of comfort and convenience versus security. The evolving aviation security environment demands that we put more premium on security procedures-not because of our own caprice or whimsical desires. We are guided by international protocol and subjected to regular security audits by international organizations. Our main security checkpoints are the initial check at the entrance doors and final check after immigrations. However, there are other security requirements imposed, such as the third redundancy check for all flights going to the mainland USA, and we cannot ignore these. Each airport will have their particular security arrangements-but at the end of the day, we at the airport management would rather face the people for those long security check lines than risk a breach of security leading to a disaster. Nevertheless, this should not prevent us from making the system efficient; and this we are truly trying to do. We have received a good number of new x-ray machines and upgrading our old ones. We are in the process of recruiting and training more people to man these equipment.
You have brought out the issue of Terminal Fees which you consider exorbitant. By comparison to other regional and international airports, ours is still cheaper. The only difference is that the fee is incorporated in the ticket price-where travelers may not feel its impact.* In 2009, MIAA made efforts to have our terminal fee incorporated in the tickets; however, the various exemptions allowed made it very very hard-not to consider the substantial amount charged as service fee and the long duration prior to remittance. We are still exploring other venues to make it easier-but definitely, payment thru card will make the transaction and the lines much longer. In the recent ASEAN Airport Association meeting, a number of our counterparts are looking into the possibility of adopting our system. By the way, the Inspection Verifier Booths at Terminal 3 will have to go. I have seen the pros and cons and definitely it is a procedure we can risk removing.
![Screen shot 2011-01-31 at 1.42.18 PM]()
*The only difference is here they can pocket the airport tax.
Your Terminal 1 is 28 years old and it has not seen any honest to goodness renovation, simply because we can not operationally afford to close major sections especially during the christmas season and the post season departure exodus.
I am aware of its present state, most specially the infamous rest rooms. Yes, they are small and in sad state; but we have not been sleeping. Over the last few months we have repaired four sets of rest rooms at the arrival area in time for the christmas arrivals. We are now doing the rest rooms at the departure area at 1 set every 25 days. Soon we will go to the departure gates. We are trying to undo years of neglect; all I ask is give us more time. It can not be done overnight, though truly there is no excuse for dirty and non-operational ones.
You have touched the issue of WIFI. I agree, but we are doing something about it. Hopefully, in 2 to 3 weeks time we can sign the contract for Globe to install WIFI in all four Terminals. By the way, we have procured and changed the dilapidated and worn out gang chairs in all departure gates of Terminal 1. The ones you saw are the 1 or 2 sets that have not been replaced yet. We have programed this already, to include those at Terminal 2 and 3 for 2011.
![NAIA seats]()
So new and so butas!
![NAIA seats]()
Danger zone: this leg is broken. Who procured these cheap seats?
And finally on the people, we are aware that systems and procedures can only be as efficient as the people behind them. Our front line personnel, to include attached agencies like BOC, BID, DOT and airline personnel, are regularly attending seminars/training on enhancing service excellence and procedure improvement. Serious efforts are being made to address concerns. Some may be in placed overnight; others will take some time. Take for instance the number of guards and procedures at the terminal entrance gates. The checking of ID/passport/tickets prior to the x-ray check is necessary to prevent non-passengers from entering the terminal or piling up the lines. It is only in the Philippines where a huge "delegation" of send-off/welcoming party remain at the airport premises even after their loved ones have checked-in. The big number of our kababayans you see at the departure curves and at the arrival areas will always be there-inspite of the inconvenience to others and the security risk. This is Filipino culture.
Again, I wish to thank you for your concern and accept my assurances that we will continuously do our best to improve the situation at your airports. Should you wish to communicate with me, you may opt to send it to my email address josea7paf2003@yahoo.com.
Sincerely,
Major General Jose Angel A. Honrado
Aquino administers the oath of office to retired General Jose Angel Honrado as MIAA General Manager
Please read on. There is an email address below. Should you choose to use it, please write politely.
I am so not satisfied with his reply about the toilets and the airport tax.
Where do our airport taxes go?
According to Wikipedia, "In 2009 the airport saw growth of 11.4% to 24.1 million passengers, making it the 51st in the world's busiest airports by passenger traffic."
Let's do the math: 24.1 million x PHP 750 airport tax = PHP 18,075,000,000.
18 freaking billion pesoses.
Where does this money go??
We could've hired Philippe Starck to do all the toilets and have more than PHP 17 billion pesoses left.
Mr. Honrado wrote:
"I am aware of its present state, most specially the infamous rest rooms. Yes, they are small and in sad state; but we have not been sleeping. Over the last few months we have repaired four sets of rest rooms at the arrival area in time for the christmas arrivals. We are now doing the rest rooms at the departure area at 1 set every 25 days. Soon we will go to the departure gates. We are trying to undo years of neglect; all I ask is give us more time. It can not be done overnight, though truly there is no excuse for dirty and non-operational ones."
(end quote)
I am just shocked at the "we have not been sleeping" and "it can not be done overnight" statements.
There is really no excuse. Toilets can be renovated in a matter of days.
Just hire architects with really good taste, buy everything at Kuysen or Dexterton and get to work.
I hope we get to see some changes by Holy Week when we fly out.
There is no excuse with all the money people pay to get out of NAIA.
DOT please get to work.
People, don't forget to sign up on Facebook.
Let's get the numbers and show them we mean business.
Tama na ang corruption sa NAIA because it's showing!!
Shame!
Shame!
Shame!
* * *
Letter from Major General Jose Angel A. Honrado
Dear Atty. Oposa / Ms. Anna Oposa,
First of all allow me to thank you for your letter and my assurances that your observations will not fall on deaf ears.
However, let me clarify some items. I am aware that one of the major issues confronting air travelers worldwide is the issue of comfort and convenience versus security. The evolving aviation security environment demands that we put more premium on security procedures-not because of our own caprice or whimsical desires. We are guided by international protocol and subjected to regular security audits by international organizations. Our main security checkpoints are the initial check at the entrance doors and final check after immigrations. However, there are other security requirements imposed, such as the third redundancy check for all flights going to the mainland USA, and we cannot ignore these. Each airport will have their particular security arrangements-but at the end of the day, we at the airport management would rather face the people for those long security check lines than risk a breach of security leading to a disaster. Nevertheless, this should not prevent us from making the system efficient; and this we are truly trying to do. We have received a good number of new x-ray machines and upgrading our old ones. We are in the process of recruiting and training more people to man these equipment.
You have brought out the issue of Terminal Fees which you consider exorbitant. By comparison to other regional and international airports, ours is still cheaper. The only difference is that the fee is incorporated in the ticket price-where travelers may not feel its impact.* In 2009, MIAA made efforts to have our terminal fee incorporated in the tickets; however, the various exemptions allowed made it very very hard-not to consider the substantial amount charged as service fee and the long duration prior to remittance. We are still exploring other venues to make it easier-but definitely, payment thru card will make the transaction and the lines much longer. In the recent ASEAN Airport Association meeting, a number of our counterparts are looking into the possibility of adopting our system. By the way, the Inspection Verifier Booths at Terminal 3 will have to go. I have seen the pros and cons and definitely it is a procedure we can risk removing.
*The only difference is here they can pocket the airport tax.
Your Terminal 1 is 28 years old and it has not seen any honest to goodness renovation, simply because we can not operationally afford to close major sections especially during the christmas season and the post season departure exodus.
I am aware of its present state, most specially the infamous rest rooms. Yes, they are small and in sad state; but we have not been sleeping. Over the last few months we have repaired four sets of rest rooms at the arrival area in time for the christmas arrivals. We are now doing the rest rooms at the departure area at 1 set every 25 days. Soon we will go to the departure gates. We are trying to undo years of neglect; all I ask is give us more time. It can not be done overnight, though truly there is no excuse for dirty and non-operational ones.
You have touched the issue of WIFI. I agree, but we are doing something about it. Hopefully, in 2 to 3 weeks time we can sign the contract for Globe to install WIFI in all four Terminals. By the way, we have procured and changed the dilapidated and worn out gang chairs in all departure gates of Terminal 1. The ones you saw are the 1 or 2 sets that have not been replaced yet. We have programed this already, to include those at Terminal 2 and 3 for 2011.
So new and so butas!
Danger zone: this leg is broken. Who procured these cheap seats?
And finally on the people, we are aware that systems and procedures can only be as efficient as the people behind them. Our front line personnel, to include attached agencies like BOC, BID, DOT and airline personnel, are regularly attending seminars/training on enhancing service excellence and procedure improvement. Serious efforts are being made to address concerns. Some may be in placed overnight; others will take some time. Take for instance the number of guards and procedures at the terminal entrance gates. The checking of ID/passport/tickets prior to the x-ray check is necessary to prevent non-passengers from entering the terminal or piling up the lines. It is only in the Philippines where a huge "delegation" of send-off/welcoming party remain at the airport premises even after their loved ones have checked-in. The big number of our kababayans you see at the departure curves and at the arrival areas will always be there-inspite of the inconvenience to others and the security risk. This is Filipino culture.
Again, I wish to thank you for your concern and accept my assurances that we will continuously do our best to improve the situation at your airports. Should you wish to communicate with me, you may opt to send it to my email address josea7paf2003@yahoo.com.
Sincerely,
Major General Jose Angel A. Honrado