SCUTTLEBUTT

NAIA unrest brewing

Discontent is spreading among airport stakeholders, reportedly due to the sharp rise in fees imposed by the New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC).

The 15 operators of yellow taxis at NAIA, who collectively own 300 units, are considering protest action over what they describe as exorbitant increases.

NNIC, the new 15-year NAIA concessionaire and an affiliate of food conglomerate San Miguel Corp., has dramatically raised fees, according to a well-placed airport insider.

The source claims that yellow taxi operators are now being charged P9,000 per parking slot per month, up from P3,500. Only cabs with designated slots are allowed inside the airport, forcing unauthorized units to park elsewhere or endlessly circle the terminals — creating opportunities for extortion by traffic enforcers stationed around the gateway.

At Terminal 3, the source revealed that P50 is collected from each cab, including displaced yellow taxis, in exchange for a number tag.

Meanwhile, the operator of inflight service cars for Philippine Airlines crews is also feeling the squeeze. Their parking fee skyrocketed from P170,000 to P720,000 per month, prompting them to relocate their 50 service vehicles outside the airport.

Even the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is weighing legal action against NNIC over the purported indiscriminate cutting of trees within its compound.

The source said the trees, considered legacy landmarks, were removed without CAAP or the Department of Environment and Natural Resources being consulted.

NNIC, however, argued that the trees had to go to make way for road widening.

JAZA’s hot about investments

If you haven’t had the chance to hear Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala — better known as JAZA — speak lately, here’s a hot tip straight from the source: the Philippines is the place to invest right now.

Speaking at the US-Philippines Society board meeting, JAZA delivered a message as warm as Manila’s sun: despite global volatility, the Philippines remains one of Asia’s brightest stars — and it’s open for business.

“We in the Philippine business community remain hopeful about the country’s growth prospects, which have not dimmed despite the volatile global environment,” JAZA said.

With the Philippine economy projected to exceed $855 billion by 2035, the Ayala chairman highlighted key sectors primed for foreign investment — renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and healthcare.

Ayala Corp. isn’t just talking the talk — it’s making bold moves:

ACEN is leading the charge in clean energy, investing heavily in solar, wind and battery storage.

Globe Telecom is gearing up to drive Southeast Asia’s data center revolution.

Ayala’s healthcare ventures are shaping the future of human capital with better schools and hospitals for a growing population.

“Consistent six-percent growth is a respectable achievement,” JAZA noted. “But imagine what more we could achieve with an eight-percent growth rate over a sustained period — something economists believe is possible if we align government and private sector efforts.”

That’s the sweet spot — and the Philippines is primed for it.

The US-Philippines Society gathered for this pow-wow, with high-powered figures such as Ambassador John Negroponte and former diplomats Thomas Hubbard and Paul Jones in attendance. Their focus? Forging win-win trade deals, strengthening security ties, and deepening people-to-people connections.

Whether you’re an investor or just curious, one thing is clear: the Philippines is hot — and not just because of the weather.