NAIA Boosts Security, Transportation Protocols After Taxi Overcharging Incident

NAIA Boosts Security, Transportation Protocols After Taxi Overcharging Incident

By Bing Jabadan – Thenationweek.com
June 22, 2025

MANILA, Philippines —  

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is taking swift action to overhaul its transportation protocols and bolster passenger safety following a recent taxi overcharging incident.

The airport’s private operator, New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), is implementing measures in response to the incident that sparked public outrage on social media and led to the termination of five airport police officers.

Last week, a passenger complained of being charged P1,200 by a taxi driver for a short-distance ride from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) sought the relief of five airport officers for alleged involvement in the taxi driver extortion scheme.

The NNIC is collaborating closely with the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) while simultaneously enacting its own preventative measures.

It vowed to ensure a safe, fair, and hassle-free experience for airport passengers.

“We are taking decisive actions to ensure that such incidents do not happen again,” NNIC President Ramon Ang declared.

“Passengers deserve a safe, fair, and hassle-free experience at NAIA — and that is precisely what we aim to provide,” he said.

Comprehensive Audit, Enhanced Security

Since assuming operations in September, the NNIC has maintained the existing government-established transport accreditation system to ensure that only authorized vehicles, operating from designated booths with transparent pricing, are allowed to pick up passengers at the airport.

The NNIC is currently conducting a comprehensive audit to assess the validity of existing accreditations, identify expiring contracts, and evaluate service providers based on current standards.

The NNIC is also enhancing its security and monitoring system throughout the airport.

Additional CCTV cameras have been installed, and the number of security personnel has been increased, extending oversight beyond the terminal curbsides to deter unauthorized passenger pickups.

Streamlined App-Based Services, Improved Shuttle Options

In December, the NNIC introduced a centralized transport hub at Terminal 3 for app-based ride-hailing services like Grab and Joyride Super Taxi.

The initiative facilitates organized pickups and offers passengers safer, more convenient transport options with readily available pricing and vehicle tracking.

The company has also increased the frequency of inter-terminal shuttle buses, which now operate every 15 minutes, providing passengers with a faster and complimentary means of transferring between terminals.

The enhanced shuttle service reduces reliance on taxis for short trips.

New Accreditation Markings, Digital Reporting

To further assist passengers in identifying legitimate transport providers, NNIC plans to introduce new, highly visible accreditation markings equipped with tamper-resistant features.

The markings will make it easier for travelers to distinguish authorized vehicles from unauthorized operators.

The NNIC is also expanding its monitoring systems, launching a renewed passenger awareness campaign, and introducing a digital reporting tool to streamline the process for passengers to report incidents and receive prompt assistance.

The digital platform will allow for quicker response times and more efficient investigation of complaints.

The NNIC aims to restore passenger confidence in NAIA’s transportation system and ensure a safer, more reliable, and convenient travel experience for everyone.