What did President Marcos’ NAIA inspection achieve?

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It took President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. less than an hour to check out upgrades at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport — a 'point-and-see' activity

Was it all for show?

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. breezed through the inspection of new airport facilities on Tuesday, June 3. It took the chief executive less than one hour to check out upgrades at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) — a “point-and-see” activity.

“Meron kaming ina-assess na bagong pang-project para sa ating airport dito sa Maynila (We are assessing another new project for our airport here in Manila),” Marcos told the media after he briefly toured the airport.

“‘Nung pinag-aaralan namin at pinag-uusapan namin…‘ka ko (When we were studying and talking about it…I said), the best way is to go and look for myself.”

The president arrived at NAIA Terminal 3 at around 2:02 pm and was briefed by Ramon Ang, chairman of SMC-led New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) — the private operator now handling the country’s main international gateway.

Marcos said he was told of “all the continuing plans” for the airport’s expansion, which includes introducing e-gates with facial recognition capabilities within the next six months. NNIC is spending at least P170 billion to update the aging airport.

INSPECTION. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. inspected the new facilities at NAIA Terminal 3, as part of the ongoing modernization of the country’s major airport, on June 3, 2025. Marcos along with Migrant Secretary Hans Cacdac, Transport Secretary Vince Dizon, New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation President Ramon Ang, and other officials, toured the immigration area, OFW lounge, arrival curbside, and other facilities. Presidential Communications Office photo

Marcos then quickly “inspected” the new facilities of NAIA’s busiest terminal. Marcos was accompanied by Ang himself, along with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, and Transport Secretary Vince Dizon.

In the official video stream of the inspection, even the moderator noted that Marcos was just passing by the common immigration area — he barely looked at it and spent more time waving at those in the airport.

HANDSHAKES. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pays attention to well-wishers at the NAIA Terminal 3, on June 3, 2025. Presidential Communications Office photo

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac and newly-appointed Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan also briefly showed Marcos the overseas Filipino workers (OFW) immigration area — a dedicated lane for migrant workers.

In the OFW lounge, Marcos was shown the new OWWA e-cards and the President went inside the OFW rest areas, which were empty during the tour.

OFW AREA. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. swung by the OFW area on June 3, 2025. Presidential Communications Office photo

Marcos was then led to the airport’s area for ride-hailing services and Transportation Network Vehicle Services (TNVS), which had been moved to the parking building from the parking area in front of Terminal 3.

It was where he spent the most time in as Ang and other officials explained how much more convenient now the TNVS area is for passengers.

The President and Cabinet officials faced the media around 2:44 pm.

Perhaps the goal of the activity was just for Marcos to literally see the new upgrades himself. The President failed to experience and critically evaluate how these new facilities are improving passenger experience — there was no new data, for example, on the average time it would take for a traveler to pass through immigration. No numbers were given on how many OFWs actually use new facilities provided and if those were enough to accommodate them.

This is Marcos’ second attempt this week to experience a “regular way” of traveling. On Sunday, June 1, he was accompanied by his family when he rode the MRT-3 as the government launched a new promo.

But what these efforts seemingly lack is sincerity from the President to know what it is like to be in the shoes of a normal Filipino. When asked about the President’s MRT3 ride, a member of the Rappler Communities App called it a “mema (just to be relevant) performative show.”

It would have been “more convincing” if the President showed up “without the special treatment,” the member said.

But at least the President got good photos? – Rappler.com