Invalidate Naia adjusted fees, petitioners ask Manila RTC

This photo, taken on March 7, 2014, shows the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1. (File photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — A petition was filed before a Manila court seeking to declare invalid certain provisions of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) concession agreement, specifically those concerning adjustments in rates of fees and charges.

The 57-page petition was filed Wednesday morning by lawyer Rodel Taton, in his personal capacity and as representative of Consumers Union of the Philippines Inc., along with consumer rights advocates and concerned citizens Samson Tan, Vanessa Marie Oyos, Janica Tujan, and Clifford Taton.

The petitioners tagged as illegal some provisions of the Concession Agreement that implements the Naia Public-Private Partnership Project (NAIA PPP Project) and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) Revised Administrative Order (Ao) No. 1, Series of 2024.

READ: Airport watchdog says Naia fees hike is ‘cash grab’

According to the petitioners, Section 1.1 of the Concession Agreement and Sections 4.2, 4.2.1, and 5.4 of the 2024 Revised MIAA AO violate the PPP Code and the rule on delegation of powers and should therefore be declared invalid, void, and illegal.

The same goes for Section 3.1 of the 2024 Revised MIAA AO for being “arbitrary and discriminatory,” along with Sections 24.3.2, 24.5, 24.5.1, 27.1.3, and 31 of the Concession Agreement for being against public policy.

All provisions deal with the adjusted rates of fees, dues, charges, or assessments collectible by the New Naia Infra Corp. (NNIC) for the use of the properties, facilities, and services of Naia.

Among the respondents in the petition were the Department of Transportation, MIAA, NNIC, and the Office of the Solicitor General.