MANILA – The 50-percent reduction in overnight parking fee of verified passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is a relief for genuine travelers, the head of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said on Tuesday.

“I could not say whether the 50-percent reduction is right or wrong. But it is good for the passengers. It will be a relief for them,” MIAA General Manager Eric Ines told the Philippine News Agency in an interview.

In a social media post over the weekend, the airport operator New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) announced that verified passengers will only have to pay half of the standard overnight parking rate, or PHP600 instead of PHP1,200, upon verification of their trip ticket and boarding pass.

Asked whether MIAA, as regulator, had imposed a cap on fees that the NNIC could collect, Ines clarified that only the first two hours of parking rates are regulated.

“We cannot interfere with the rates beyond the two hours (of parking). Whether the NNIC would like to have it free of charge or if they ask for high charges, we cannot meddle,” he said.

Since last year, the NNIC has been charging cars with a PHP50 parking fee for the first two hours.

Ines said that under Administrative Order No. 1 revised as of 2024, there are regulated and non-regulated fees/charges in the concession agreement.

Non-regulated fees include rent and leases, while regulated ones include the take-off and landing fee, aircraft parking fee, he added.

Ines also clarified that MIAA, even as regulator, cannot just change the rates of regulated fees.

“It has to be discussed on a national level, by the NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority now transformed into the Department of Economy, Planning and Development [DEPDev]) and PPP (Public-Private Partnership) Center. MIAA does not have the authority to change what was signed in the concession agreement,” he said.

Meanwhile, sought for comment, globe-trotter Karen Villanueva said any price reduction is most welcome considering the Filipino culture of “hatiran and sunduan” (bringing to and fetching from the airport).

“That’s better although still prohibitive. That is already a day’s wage,” Villanueva said. (PNA)