Netizens react to Atom Araullo’s tweet on NAIA transport woes
Journalist Atom Araullo’s tweet lamenting the difficulty he faced while trying to hail a cab at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport after returning from an overseas trip drew more than 700 replies from netizens who could totally relate to his experience.
On December 9, Araullo tweeted that there were no airport taxis at the arrival terminal of NAIA, apart from lacking busses or a train that would serve the airport. “Basically kung wala kang sundo, you’re dead,” Araullo said, adding “This is what a broken transpo system looks like.”
In his next tweet, he shared his success at finally being able to book a Grab after two hours of trying and only when he set his pickup point at the airport’s departure area. Many passengers, however, were still waiting for a cab when he left.
In its reply to Araullo’s tweet The Manila International Airport Authority wrote: “We are saddened to hear about your experience as the high demand due to rush hour combined with heavy traffic around the metro makes it difficult for any mode of public transport to get to and from the airport terminals.” Ordinary folks could only wish they had Araullo’s reach or influence in order to be noticed by the airport authorities.
After his NAIA tweet went viral, Araullo posted a new thread to share additional thoughts on the problems plaguing public transport and airport connectivity in Metro Manila. While acknowledging that the country’s transport woes go back decades, Araullo emphasized that the problems remain and require solutions that are within reach.
He decried being labeled as “elitist” for complaining about the lack of airport taxis. “Elitista” o “entitlement” ba ang paghangad ng mas maayos na public transportation? Baliktad ata. Many people have no choice but to commute on a daily basis. A safe, reliable, affordable, and efficient mass transpo system is good for everyone!” tweeted Araullo.
Araullo ended the thread by emhasizing that “A good public transportation system is pro-people, and essential for development. Pointing that out does not make you unpatriotic :)”
Many netizens agreed with Araullo’s observations and acknowledged that solutions need to be developed and implemented in the here and now, instead of waiting for infrastructure that will take years to come to fruition.
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