Domestic travelers greeted by airport ‘Filipinization’
DOMESTIC travelers arriving and departing NAIA Terminal 2 will now experience the “Filipinization” of the airport as Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco and Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista inspected on Tuesday the enhancements made at the place ahead of the approaching long weekend during the observance of Holy Week 2023.
Frasco and Bautista made rounds at the NAIA T2 domestic arrival and departure areas to check the improvements that were introduced in the terminal. Terminal 2 is one of the identified pilot areas for the DOT-DOTr airport enhancement convergence program.
“We want to see the new decorations in Terminal 2. It is part of our joint project with the Department of Tourism. MIAA, DOTr, and DOT with these new designs which were designed and also funded by the Department of Tourism. So gusto namin makita,” said Bautista of their joint inspection.
The airport enhancement program is part of the DOT’s main objectives, particularly, the Enhancement of the Overall Tourist Experience which includes streamlining of entry restrictions to the Philippines, liberalization of health and safety protocols, and discussions on visa reforms for the convenience of visitors.
Explaining the DOT’s implementation of Filipino-themed enhancements to the interiors of NAIA Terminal 2 which it has undertaken with the support of its attached agency, the Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), Frasco said, “Unang una po, sa simula pa lang ng administrasyon ng ating Presidente na si President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr., yung direktiba po talaga niya is to enhance the overall tourist experience. At alam naman po natin na ang first and last impression ng ating mga turista ay nasa ating mga airports at ating mga seaports. Kaya naman po nagpapasalamat din po ako kay Secretary Jimmy Bautista, sa Department of Transportation, kasi gumawa tayo ng isang convergence program kung saan nag identify tayo ng gateways na bibigyan natin ng Filipino touch.”
Aesthetic improvements that are apparent to the NAIA Terminal 2 include the introduction Filipino elements through the use of solihiya panels on walls, as well as furniture and lamps all made by local artisans.
Bautista, around 2 million passengers are expected to travel into and from the airports throughout the course of the long weekend.
The Transportation Secretary assured that the DOTr, the DOT, and management of the MIAA Management have partnered on a program that will ensure a smooth passenger flow at the airport throughout the Holy Week break.
