Tag Archives: NAIA

Business, Government, International, Travel

SEVERE SHORTAGE OF PLASTIC WRAP IN THE PHILIPPINES

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imageMANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – Supermarkets and retailers in the Philippines are reporting a severe shortage of plastic wrap as a result of recent reports that  incoming and outgoing airline passengers at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) are being held and charged for alleged bullets found in their luggage.

Known as laglag bala (bullet drop) or tanim bala (planted bullet), the airport scheme involves passengers being questioned and detained by airport security for having bullets in their luggage.  It is widely believed that the bullets are “planted” by airport personnel as a way to extort money from unsuspecting passengers.

As a result, many passengers are taking the precaution of securing their luggage from the scheme by wrapping their bags with plastic wrap.  It has created an unusual demand for the plastic item.

Some passengers are taking no chances.  They’re not only wrapping their bags with plastic wrap. They are also wrapping themselves, just to be on the safe side.

International, Travel

FLYING IN OR OUT OF MANILA’S INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT? STOCK UP ON PLASTIC WRAP

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imageMANILA, Philippines  (The Adobo Chronicles) –  If you’re planning a trip to Manila and your flight gets in and out of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), you’d better stock up on plastic wrap.  You would need them to protect your checked-in or carry-on luggage from laglag bala.

Laglag bala is a scheme that involves the arrest of airline passengers allegedly found to be keeping bullets in their luggage. It is suspected that the bullets are “planted” by airport personnel as a way of extorting money from unsuspecting passengers.

Frustrated that the Philippine government has not done much to prevent the sheme or to punish the perpetrators, travelers have resorted to protecting their bags from being victimized by the schemers — by using plastic (saran) wrap to prevent intrusion and the planting of bullets in their luggage.

Supermarkets and other retail outlets in the Philippines have reported a sharp increase in their sales of plastic wrap in just the last three weeks, and many have run out of the item.

While travel and tourism get a hit, retail businesses are having a big boom in their sales, at least for plastic wrap.

It’s really more fun in the Philippines!

Business, Economy, Government, International, Tourism, Travel

APEC ECONOMIC MEETING IN MANILA WILL HURT PHILIPPINE ECONOMY

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imageMANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – Ten member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) will be in attendance at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) in Manila on November 18 to 19.

At least 1,800 domestic and international flights will be affected by the closure of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) runway as part of preparations for the arrival and departure of APEC leaders in Manila, including US President Barack Obama, for the summit.

NAIA terminals will be used exclusively for the heads of state attending the APEC meeting.

No other airport in the world closes its runways or terminals during international meetings.  Only in the Philippines.

As a result of the airport closure, the Philippines’ own Economic Development Authority and Department of Tourism have said that the country will lose millions of dollars because of cancellations of business meetings and tourism trips to the Philippines.

Airlines and hotels have reported that customers have cancelled their reservations as a result of the APEC meeting.  Other local businesses stand to lose potential revenue as well.

Additionally, the government will be suspending school classes as well as work in both the private and public sectors for four days during the meeting. Metro Manila will come to a standstill, with lots of productivity lost.

Economic experts find it ironic that an international economic meeting will wreak havoc on the economy of a host country.