The coalition Pagkakaisa ng Users, Stakeholders, at Obrero ng NAIA (PUSO ng NAIA) staged a protest Tuesday outside the Asian Development Bank (ADB) headquarters in Ortigas, denouncing the bank’s alleged role in a controversial concession agreement for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) modernization project.
The group criticized the deal—backed by San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and advised by ADB—allegedly for pushing the financial burden of the upgrade onto passengers, workers, and consumers through increased airport fees set to take effect on September 14, 2025.
Romy Sauler, head secretariat of PUSO ng NAIA and former Philippine Airlines employee, slammed the ADB’s role, calling it an “unconscionable dictate” that protects private profits at public expense. “This is highway robbery dressed up as development,” Sauler said, accusing the ADB, the Marcos administration, and SMC of collusion.
The protesters condemned the public-private partnership (PPP) model being implemented, alleging it shields San Miguel’s New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) from financial risk while ensuring “astronomical profits.”
Labor group Socialista Inc. also joined the rally. Secretary-General Ding Villasin criticized the deal’s lack of transparency and public consultation, calling it “development at gunpoint” that violates principles of democracy and social justice.
Sauler noted that PUSO ng NAIA has yet to receive a response from the ADB to a formal letter sent last week, seeking clarification on its advisory role in the privatization.
“We refuse to be treated as milking cows for privatization,” the coalition said, vowing to resist the fee hikes and defend what they called “the dignity of every Filipino worker, traveler, and consumer.”
