A red faced Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) lowered the boom on Tuesday on its housekeeping and pest control service providers and threatened them with a non renewal of contracts over pest infestation at the country’s premiere gateway.
The reported presence of surot or bedbugs at Terminals 2 and 3 so incensed management that MIAA general manager Eric Ines called the service contractors to a meeting and issued an ultimatum or be banned from future bidding exercises.
Ines convened terminal administrators, service contractors, and health experts from the Bureau of Quarantine and the MIAA Medical to review the state of sanitation services across all Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals.
Terminal Administration groups were told to deploy more inspectors to monitor and supervise the work of contractors and re-evaluate the effectiveness of housekeeping and pest control procedures vis-à-vis the increasing volume of people and changing conditions at the terminals.
Ines announced a revised terms of reference (TOR) for service contracts, imposing stiffer and higher penalties for liquidated damages. Contractors are asked to submit weekly and monthly commitments of work done, establishing an immediate response mechanism through close coordination between contractors and MIAA management.
The MIAA chief said the ultimatum is a reminder of the accountability clause carried in their service agreements and that most housekeeping and pest control contracts are due to expire this year.
“I will not only renew them but will not hesitate to put you in a blacklist as well,” Ines said in Filipino.
In response, the contractors committed to increase the frequency of surveillance and disinfection, augment manpower deployment to ensure round-the-clock response, increase visibility, and adopt a work program that cleans and disinfects without affecting seat availability.
On the effectiveness of chemicals for deep disinfection, the contractors assured the MIAA of periodic replacement due to the ability of pests and insects to develop immunity to chemicals over time. They further assured the MIAA the chemicals are all FDA approved and regulated.
Ines will also meet this week the concessions heads and assess the effectiveness of punitive measures against those who violate the terms and conditions in their contracts with MIAA.
The airport chief also ordered the newly appointed senior assistant general manager, Beng Reyes, to revive the Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee (IACC) with her as chairperson.
The IACC meets each month with the MIAA and the various airport agencies from the private and public sectors.
