Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said he is closely monitoring the commitment of People’s Air Cargo and Warehousing Co., Inc. (PAIRCARGO), the private operator of the air cargo terminal at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), to resolve by the end of July the cargo congestion involving an estimated 2,000-ton backlog at the country’s main gateway.
“PAIRCARGO committed to resolve this problem by end of July. We will monitor,” said Nepomuceno in a text message.
According to Nepomuceno, the congestion at NAIA is “mainly due to the inability of PAIRCARGO to process and deliver the shipments that arrived in its warehouse.” He said other factors also contributed to the delays but stressed that the Bureau of Customs (BOC) was not among them.
“BOC releases cargoes in NAIA in 1-2 days, the worst is the 3rd day as long as documents are complete,” said the BOC chief.
Following a meeting and inspection of PAIRCARGO’s facility on July 8, 2026, Nepomuceno directed the company to submit a report on the implementation of measures aimed at decongesting the airport.
In a letter addressed to PAIRCARGO President and CEO Joseph C. Madrigal and Chief Operating Officer Michael F. Narvaez, Nepomuceno requested a report detailing the current congestion status at the facility, including the average daily cargo volume before the congestion, the current average daily cargo volume, and other relevant operational information.
PAIRCARGO was also instructed to submit an action plan and crisis management plan outlining both immediate and long-term measures to address the approximately 2,000-ton cargo backlog. These measures may include hiring additional personnel, leasing more warehouse space, extending operating hours, deploying additional equipment, and implementing other initiatives to expedite cargo handling and prevent further congestion.
In addition, the company was asked to submit a waiver of additional storage charges for importers affected by delays attributable to the current congestion and increased cargo volume at its facility.
“The BOC looks forward t o your continued cooperation and immediate action addressing this matter t o facilitate legitimate trade, ensure the efficient movement and timely release of cargoes, and mitigate the impact of the current situation on affected stakeholders,” said Nepomuceno.
Air cargo congestion at NAIA first erupted in June this year, prompting traders to call out government agencies to resolve the issue as it was impact on their operations.
