Airport personnel told: Don’t greet passengers Merry Christmas

Balikbayans and tourists can look forward to happy holidays this Yuletide season as the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) gears up for the needs of passengers. What they can't look forward to is being greeted by airport employees. Airport employees have been banned from greeting passengers, “Merry Christmas" and “Happy New Year." A memorandum issued by MIAA general manager Alfonso Cusi directed employees to refrain from greeting passengers, as this was observed to be their way of indirectly asking for tips. The directive is issued every year to remind employees of the rule against soliciting money from passengers, according to Cusi. Lest they forget, there are also cameras at the airport to monitor how they approach passengers. In an interview aired over GMA News, MIAA assistant general manager for security and emergency services, Angel Atutubo said extortion practices had already been minimized since the implementation of the no greeting policy, adding that the rule applies to everyone, including immigration and customs personnel. "Kahit sa immigration at customs ngayon, nag-join forces na ang workers sa airport. Ine-emphasize ng general manager natin yung tinatawag natin na gawing tama at yung service excellence sa mga tao," says Atutubo. (The workers have now joined forces even at the immigration and at the customs. Our general manager is emphasizing the need to do it right and provide excellent service to the people.) What if the passengers are generous and offer unsolicited tips? This is not allowed, according to Atutubo. "Kung minsan, dahil sa magandang serbisyo, may mga…kababayan tayo na talagang nagbibigay bilang pasasalamat pero sa kasulatan ay dun pa rin tayo sa no tipping policy." (There are times that our fellow countrymen give tips because of good service but we stick to the no tipping policy.) However, there are no visible signs at the airport that the policy is being religiously followed. Despite the greeting ban, passengers still experience being asked for tips in many different ways, especially if they look like foreigners. “'Kayo na bahala, Sir (It’s up to you, Sir)," porters have taken to saying. “A subtle reminder that no good deed should go unrewarded," according to “Jonathan," a frequent traveler. While passengers should not expect curtsies from airport personnel, they can look forward to good safety and security at the airport, according to Atutubo. As long as they arrive an hour before their flight, they have nothing to worry about. “Wala na silang dapat ikabahala, arrival man o departure. Dahil minutes o seconds sa kanilang mga gagawin ay talagang tugma na dun sa standard na oras na ginagawa natin," said Atutubo. (They have nothing to worry about, whether it’s arrival or departure. Their schedule would coincide with our standard time.) The airport has also increased security, extending to the highway. This is to prevent illegal operations including smuggling, and theft in the style of the Salisi gang. Members of the gang drop coins in order to distract passengers, and then grab their hand-carried luggage. "Actually, ang hinuhulog ngayon ay dollar na rin (Actually, they are now dropping dollars)," said Atutubo. Police and security guards have also been assigned to every corner of the airport to address the problem.The MIAA has also coordinated with the Pasay and Parañaque police, as well as authorities from the Metro Manila Development Authority. Airport authorities have likewise addressed the problem on overpriced taxi services, another source of stress among passengers. "May mga napeperwisyo rin, kahit na pumatak ang metro pagdating sa lugar ay humihingi pa ng dagdag ‘yun. Kaya mino-monitor din natin kaya pinagbabawalan natin sila sa ganung paraan," said Atutubo. (There are those still being troubled by this, drivers ask to be paid more than the fare based on the meter. We are also monitoring this, we prohibit them from doing this.) - GMANews.TV