MIAA inks deal with Grab on airport taxi
BInternational Container Terminal Services Inc executive vice president Christian Gonzalez said, to attract foreign investments in manufacturing, there is a need to have privatization and infrastructure program that’s driven by a broader strategy.
“Right now, in this country, infrastructure privatization is done piecemeal in isolation… Where is the masterplan of creating industrial zones in areas that are already connected to the global marketplace? Where is the masterplan
to create infrastructure in places that will later become sites for industrial and commercial areas that will be meant to be connected to the global marketplace,” Gonzalez said.
“Unless we start thinking based on a broader infrastructure plan and move out of this isolated system of privatization and building infrastructure, frankly, we will not accelerate foreign investment nor manufacturing in the way we all want,” he added.
Ayala Corporation president Cezar
“Bong” Consing said there is a need to look at the examples of neighboring countries on how to ensure a sustainable long-term economic growth.
“I’m tempted to look at the examples of, say, China, Korea, Japan, post-World War II. And the objective there was really to transfer resources devoted to consumption towards investment. And you might say that in many cases, they overdid it. Right. I mean, Japan adopted this beggar thy neighbor policy. And China really went extreme, right? It almost starved the consumer in on behalf of investment. But we need some of that,” Consing said.
“We need some of that because unless you have a real significant transfer of resource allocation, we will never rebuild our manufacturing sector. We are the poorest BBB+ country in the world. Yet look at consumer goods, you can find everything here. Clearly there is misbalance,” he added.
PLDT Inc. President Alfredo Panlilio also emphasized the need to attract more investments from the manufacturing industry. “Clearly, [there’s a] lack of manufacturing companies that invest in the country. If you talk about manufacturing, it’s an investment that’s long term for the country.” he explained.
Stratbase president Professor Dindo Manhit discussed the importance of how the government can create an investment environment for jobs to be created.
THE Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has partnered with Grab Philippines to enhance transport service at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
The partnership dubbed as “Airport to Anywhere (ATA)” pilot program aims to initially deploy a dedicated fleet of 200 Grab accredited vehicles to service the increased demand for transport vehicles in NAIA.
The ATA can be booked through the Grab mobile app with fixed pricing based on drop-off location and no surge charges.
MIAA general manager Cesar Chiong initiated talks with Grab Philippines in September and expressed elation that finally the partnership has come to fruition.
“We explored this partnership as part of our preparations for the Christmas season. We thank Grab Philippines and the LTFRB for joining hands with us in the interest of our airriding public,” Chiong said.
NAIA’s monthly passenger volume last month reached 3.1 million or a 229 percent increase compared with the figures for the same period last year.
MIAA Management has tapped Grab Philippines to add on to its airport vehicle fleet.
MIAA expects the upward trend in passenger traffic to be more pronounced starting December 16 when vacationing kababayans arrive from abroad.
The MIAA-Grab undertaking is an endeavor that is expected to address the high demand for airport vehicles this Christmas and at the same time give passengers a wider selection of transport options to choose from.