Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Monday, June 5 said he supports the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) bid for the government to take in a private sector partner that would maintain and operate the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). But the government should make sure that the process is open to all qualified bidders, and the delineation of functions should also be clear and transparent, the senator said. “I completely agree! The private sector, I believe, is by far more efficient than government,” Escudero said in a statement. “What will be handled by the private sector and what will remain under government control must, however, be clear cut,” he said. Furthermore, Escudero said the government and the private firm, should do so in compliance “with the applicable procurement procedures in accordance with law and relevant regulations.” "I (also) believe it should be open to all qualified bidders," the senator reminded. Sen. Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services, also backed the proposal, saying it is "well past its due." "We could have averted the glitches that messed up the flight schedules and inconvenienced thousands of travelers had the modernization of the airport's air traffic control and operations been undertaken years ago," Poe said in a separate statement. She also said the proposal to enlist a private concessionaire to operate the country's main gateway is also one of the priority recommendations cited in the panel’s committee report following its investigation into the recent power glitches that hit NAIA. "Like any concessionaire, we need to ensure that this private entity lives up to its commitment to improve air services in the country," she said. She also stressed that the government should require an accomplishment timeline, performance matrix, and penalties for any default. "We have seen how the transformation of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport by a private consortium and its improved services and facilities have positively impacted on tourism and passenger experience," she pointed out. "This could be a template for the modernization of the NAIA operations," she stressed. (With reports from Mario Casayuran)