MANILA – Amidst the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the country, three lawmakers are proposing for the renaming of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Presidential son and Davao City representative Paolo Duterte, ACT-CIS party-list Representative Eric Yap and Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco had recently filed House Bill 7031 which aims to rename NAIA to Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Pilipinas.
Duterte said that there’s a need for a more representative branding for the country’s international gateway and their proposed name is also in the Philippines’ national language.
“We want it to reflect the legacy of the Filipino people, our everyday heroes. The name bears no color, no political agenda. It only signifies our warmth as Filipinos in welcoming our own kababayans and foreign visitors,” Duterte said.
Velasco, meanwhile, said that the measure seeks to reposition the Philippines as a destination of choice for tourists, especially when the country reopens its borders for travelers.
“Renaming it will not only benefit and bolster our brand as a destination hub, but will also strengthen the country’s identity,” he said. “By doing so, it will provide us a competitive edge as our neighbors open their doors, too, to visitors.”
Yap, for his part, said that they want returning Filipinos and foreign tourists alike to see the name of the country right away once their flights land at the airport, making them feel at home.
“Marami naman na personalidad na karapat-dapat rin na sa kanila ipangalan ang institusyon, daan, at iba pa. Pero pagdating sa ating paliparan, dapat ay sumalamin ito sa bansa at sa sambayanang Pilipino,” Yap said.
The original name of the airport was Manila International Airport, but in 1987, during the administration of the late President Corazon Aquino, it was renamed NAIA through Republic Act 6639, in honor of her husband and former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., who was assassinated at this airport on August 21, 1983./PN
