New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) is taking immediate steps to strengthen transport measures and improve passenger protection at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), following a recent incident involving an unauthorized taxi that overcharged a passenger during a short trip between terminals.
The case, which went viral on social media, also led the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to dismiss five airport police officers under the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) for their alleged involvement in extortion of taxi drivers operating at the airport.
While airport police are under MIAA jurisdiction, NNIC — as the private operator of NAIA — is working closely with the government agency and, at the same time, implementing measures to ensure incidents like this do not happen again.
Since assuming operations in September last year, NNIC has continued the transport accreditation system it inherited from the government. This setup was meant to ensure that only authorized vehicles — operating from designated booths and charging transparent rates — could pick up passengers at the terminals.
NNIC is conducting a full audit to determine which accreditations remain valid, which contracts are expiring, and which providers do not meet current standards.
Last December, NNIC launched a centralized transport hub at Terminal 3 for app-based ride-hailing services such as Grab and Joyride Super Taxi — to ensure orderly pickups and provide passengers safer, more convenient, and efficient transport options.
NNIC has also added more CCTV cameras and deployed additional security personnel to strengthen monitoring and enforcement across the entire airport — including areas beyond terminal curbsides.
This expanded coverage is part of ongoing efforts to prevent unauthorized pickup of passengers.
Also, prior to the incident, NNIC had already increased the number of inter-terminal shuttle buses, which run every 15 minutes — making it faster and more convenient for passengers to transfer between terminals — free of charge.
To help passengers easily identify legitimate transport providers, NNIC is looking to roll out new and more visible accreditation markings with tamper-resistant features.
NNIC is also expanding its monitoring systems, launching a renewed passenger awareness campaign, and introducing a digital reporting tool to make it easier for passengers to report incidents and receive timely assistance.
NNIC President Ramon S. Ang emphasized the company’s resolve to upgrade transport standards and protect the riding public.
“Incidents like this should never happen, and we are taking immediate steps to make sure they don’t happen again,” Ang said. “Passengers deserve a safe, fair, and stress-free experience at NAIA — and that’s exactly what we intend to deliver.
