The Philippines is one of the countries in Southeast Asia that relies heavily on the travel and tourism industry to bolster the growth of its economy. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the travel and tourism industry accounted for as much as 12.9 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. At the height of the outbreak in 2020, its share plunged to 5.1 percent after the lockdowns caused the closure of many businesses that resulted in massive job losses.
When the situation began to normalize somehow, travel and tourism were again looked to revive the ailing economy. With the rebound, better facilities and services were needed to leave a long-lasting impression on visitors. With the recent electrical problem at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, the need for a major upgrade once again became the talk of the town.
Last 1 May, a power outage hit Terminal 3, affecting 9,000 passengers, following a “fault current” or an abnormal amount of electrical current flowing through a circuit. This may have caused the circuit to trip and the power outage. Technical personnel of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) were quick to arrive and resolved the power outage.
This was the second time this year that NAIA was in the news for all the wrong reasons. The first, on New Year’s Day, was when more than 200 flights were canceled, rerouted, and delayed after an equipment mishap triggered a breakdown in the airport’s Communications, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management or CNS/ATM system.
Following the twin incidents, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista vowed to conduct a full electrical audit of NAIA Terminal 3, as well as Terminals 1 and 2.
Businessman and philanthropist Manuel V. Pangilinan or MVP, who currently chairs Meralco, patriotically offered to conduct a full electrical audit of the facility at no cost to the government. A full electrical audit will help the government find the problem, address it, and map out the projects needed to modernize and upgrade the terminal.
“The good news is the group of Mr. Manny Pangilinan has offered to do a free electrical audit. I talked to them earlier. Maybe by Monday (8 May) we would have our first meeting,” Bautista said in English and Filipino in a radio interview on 2 May.
Government support
Even before the Covid-19 pandemic emerged, MVP had been supportive of the government, crafting initiatives geared toward nation-building.
When Typhoon Odette hit the Visayas and Mindanao in December 2021, companies under the MVP Group extended assistance to the affected families, such as power restoration, relief packages, and financial assistance, among others.
He has also supported the government’s goal of digitalization and achieving food security.
Earlier this year, through Metro Pacific Investments Corp., the group acquired a 34.76-percent stake in Axelum Resources Corporation as well as a controlling stake in The Laguna Creamery Inc. The twin investments form part of MVP’s goal and priority “to feed our people first,” and support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
MPIC’s subsidiaries have also embraced the digitalization of their operations and initiatives that encapsulate the group’s overall goal to be a leader in sustaining the country’s expanding digital landscape.
His support for the public through his various businesses is a clear definition of patriotism for the country as not only will it support the government’s initiatives and goals, but ultimately, will provide better services to the public it serves.