By Ben R. Rosario
House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez yesterday issued a 45-day ultimatum for airport and airline authorities to decongest the country’s air terminals as he vowed to cancel the legislative franchises of local carriers found to be among the major factors that trigger air traffic congestion.
Alvarez, a former Transportation secretary, issued the twin warnings during the hearing of the House Committee on Transportation on a resolution calling on the Department of Transportation and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Authority to present a rationalization program that would ensure safe, efficient, and comfortable passenger experience.
Visibly irked by the problems affecting passengers, Alvarez directed the MIAA and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines to take swift and appropriate steps to decongest passenger and air traffic.
“Our directive is in 45 days, ayusin na ‘yang distribution sa use ng terminal. Kung hindi na kaya ng traffic, tanggihan na dapat,” he said.