The Department of Tourism (DOT) together with the Department of Transportation – Philippines (DOTr) conducted an inspection of the NAIA Terminal 2, ahead of the approaching long weekend holiday in line with the observance of Holy Week 2023.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista made rounds at the NAIA T2 domestic arrival and departure areas, with the objective of inspecting the enhancements so far introduced to the terminal, which is one of the identified pilot areas for the DOT-DOTr airport enhancement convergence program.
The airport enhancement program is being implemented as part of the DOT’s main objectives, particularly, the Enhancement of the Overall Tourist Experience which includes streamlining of entry restrictions to the Philippines, liberalization of health and safety protocols, and discussions on visa reforms for the convenience of visitors.
Explaining the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) implementation of Filipino-themed enhancements to the interiors of NAIA Terminal 2 which it has undertaken with the support of its attached agency, the TIEZA – Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, Frasco said, “Unang una po, sa simula pa lang ng administrasyon ng ating Presidente na si President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr., yung direktiba po talaga niya is to enhance the overall tourist experience. At alam naman po natin na ang first and last impression ng ating mga turista ay nasa ating mga airports at ating mga seaports. Kaya naman po nagpapasalamat din po ako kay Secretary Jimmy Bautista, sa Department of Transportation, kasi gumawa tayo ng isang convergence program kung saan nag identify tayo ng gateways na bibigyan natin ng Filipino touch.”
Solihiya panels on walls, furniture, and lamps—all made by local artisans, plants, murals, charging stations, and mini-gardens have been introduced at strategic locations in Terminal 2 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
“The effort is to give tourists and travelers alike a reminder of how beautiful our country is and how talented our Filipino workers are.”
“The effort is to give tourists and travelers alike a reminder of how beautiful our country is and how talented our Filipino workers are, as can clearly be seen in all the furniture that has been installed in this terminal,” the tourism chief explained.
Airport assistance desks at both the arrival and departure areas of the NAIA T2 have also been enhanced through the use of local materials.
To recall, the tourism head announced that the Department anticipates the full recovery of domestic tourism this year.
She noted that the influx of local tourists will be critical in attaining the industry’s pre-pandemic numbers which she said the DOT foresees to reach 100 percent this year.
“That means no less than 122 million domestic trips including the volume that we anticipate would arrive during the holy week,” Frasco stressed.
“Around 2 million passengers are expected to travel into and from the airports throughout the course of the long weekend.”
According to Bautista, around 2 million passengers are expected to travel into and from the airports throughout the course of the long weekend.
The transportation chief assured that the DOTr, the DOT, and the MIAA management have partnered on a program that will ensure a smooth passenger flow at the airport throughout the Holy Week break.
Joining the two Secretaries are Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Cesar Chiong, Philippine Airlines (PAL) President and COO Captain Stanley Ng, NAIA T2 Terminal Manager Sean Sunga, MIAA-Public Affairs Office (PAO) Manager Connie Bungag, and DOT Undersecretaries and officials.
