Patience urged over Naia 1 rehab

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—With the rehabilitation of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 1 officially starting this week, authorities at the country’s premier gateway appealed for patience from air travelers.

“We appeal for everyone’s cooperation and understanding as we go through the rehabilitation process,” Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa) General Manager Jose Angel Honrado told reporters.

Honrado said the project will be overseen by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) as implementing agency while the Miaa, as operator of Naia, will directly supervise progress of work.

Last month, the DOTC awarded the P1.3-billion rehabilitation work to DM Consunji Inc., giving the company until January 2015 to complete the project.

Six phases

Honrado said that to minimize effect to Naia 1 operations, work will be carried out in six phases, with each phase lasting for 60 days.

“The methodology we used shall ensure completion of the four components—structural retrofitting, architectural upgrade and MEPF (mechanical, electrical plumbing and fire protection) system—in 60 days,” Honrado explained.

He said concessionaires that will be affected by the first phase of the project have turned over their spaces to Miaa after receiving proper notice. Among them are Kuwait, Gulf Air and Delta Air offices which will temporarily hold office at the nearby building of the Philippine Aviation Security Services Corp. at Parking C of Terminal 1.

Enclosures will be seen at the departure and arrival levels of the terminal, Honrado said.

Restricted access

“We seek everyone’s understanding as this will surely bring inconvenience and discomfort brought about by drilling and hammering works,” he said.

The Miaa may also restrict general access to the outer premises of the terminal, the airport chief said.

“While we do not want to break tradition, we strongly discourage large crowds of people sending off passengers because the outer part of the building will also be enclosed,” Honrado said.

Others areas to be affected by the rehabilitation are the government counters at the departure level which have been relocated at a nearby space.

The Miaa said restaurants accessible to the general public would be closed for operations. Food stalls at the pre-departure areas will instead serve the riding public.

Aircraft gates 12 and 14 will be closed for use as well as their pre-departure waiting areas. Affected flights will be reassigned to other parking bays.

“Let’s all look forward to seeing a new Naia Terminal 1 in a year’s time. Let’s do this together,” Honrado said.