Filipino fliers air NAIA frustrations online

When even former government officials start sounding off on social media, it’s a sign something’s not right.

On 30 March 2025, DAILY TRIBUNE columnist and former Director General of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, Rowel S. Barba, posted a short but telling complaint on Facebook about the sweltering conditions inside NAIA Terminal 3:

“Sa mga kinauukulan, baka pwede po lakasan ang aircon sa Terminal 3. Halos hindi po maramdaman ang lamig. Maraming salamat…”

(To those concerned, perhaps the air-conditioning in Terminal 3 can be turned up. You can barely feel the cool air. Thank you very much...)

It’s a simple and polite request — but surely one that doesn't even need to be made.

From poor temperature control to reported bedbug infestations and alleged tampered baggage, public frustration with the country’s busiest airport is heating up in more ways than one — and netizens are letting fellow Pinoys know how they feel.

Even our well-traveled staff at Daily Tribune echo the complaints seen on social media. An informal survey yielded concerns ranging from inadequate Wi-Fi and persistent bug sightings to foul-smelling bathrooms — all the way up to the boarding gates.

Turbulence before takeoff

NAIA, under the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), has long battled criticism, but 2023 proved particularly rough. The start of the year saw a power outage and system glitch that paralyzed Philippine airspace and left 282 flights canceled, diverted, or delayed on 1 January. In August, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal of MIAA general manager Cesar Chiong and assistant general manager Irene Montalbo over employee reassignments.

Hoping to reverse course, the government awarded a public-private partnership to the New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation (NNIC) led by San Miguel Corporation, which officially took over operations on 14 September 2024. With SMC president Ramon Ang at the helm, NNIC outlined a major rehabilitation plan: increased parking and VIP fees, expanded facilities, and a long-term terminal modernization effort.

Yet, as summer sets in and traveler volume increases, signs of real improvements seem elusive for many.

National embarrassment?

One of the most searing critiques came in the form of a Letter to the Editor, published in DAILY TRIBUNE on 3 March 2025, lamenting what the author called "an infestation of bed bugs and rats."

“Images circulating online are not just unpleasant; they’re a slap in the face to our tourism industry and a source of embarrassment for Filipinos,” the letter reads.

The writer — echoing calls from lawmakers and frequent travelers — pointed to long-running issues: overcrowding, inefficient processes, outdated facilities, and a general neglect of the passenger experience.

They called for a deep cleaning of the terminals, a complete sanitation protocol overhaul, and more investments in technology and customer flow systems to improve efficiency.

"The current situation at NAIA demands immediate and decisive action from airport management. Eradicating the pests is not just the first step but a crucial one," the letter read. "A thorough deep cleaning and a complete overhaul of sanitation protocols are essential. But this crisis exposes deeper issues that have plagued NAIA for years — chronic overcrowding, inefficient processes, and a general lack of focus on passenger experience."

“NAIA is more than just an airport; it’s a symbol… A neglected, infested one paints a picture of inefficiency and disarray," said the letter.

Read the full letter here:

Tampered baggage claim

Adding to the outcry, former FDCP chairperson Liza Diño-Seguerra revealed on 27 March 2025 that her Apple Watch Ultra 2 and laptop were stolen from her checked-in luggage after flying in from San Francisco on a Philippine Airlines flight.

“Pagbukas namin, wala na talaga,” Diño said in an interview on TeleRadyo Serbisyo, explaining that she placed the items in her checked bag because her carry-on already exceeded the laptop limit.

Her partner, singer Ice Seguerra, said the luggage had been precisely slashed, as if by a knife.

“Sobrang precise ng pagkaka cut.”

The couple’s experience reignited concerns over security lapses and unchecked theft, which have haunted NAIA for years despite high-profile staff dismissals and policy reviews.

Passengers waiting to board

With summer temperatures rising and peak travel season approaching, the discomfort reported by Barba may be a warning sign of more complaints to come. The rehabilitation plans are still in motion, but travelers are left asking on social media when — or if — they’ll finally see and feel the difference.

For now, NAIA Terminal 3 remains in the spotlight — not for its progress, but for its persistent problems.