Relief from the stifling heat at Terminal 1 is expected also by August. Last April 16, the DOTC said the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has ordered delivery in August of four new units of air chillers to augment the current three units, which is programmed for replacement with new units by yearend.
DOTC spokesperson Atty. Michael Arthur Sagcal said the agency estimates Terminal 1 will be decongested by 3.5 million passengers per year. The facility now handles up to eight million passengers but what designed for only 4.5 million.
President Aquino and other government officials have apologized for the lack of airconditioning and other inconveniences at NAIA 1 where rehabilitation works have been underway since last January.
“We sincerely apologize to the public for the warm temperature at NAIA T1. We understand how inconvenient it is to endure these conditions inside the airport’s facilities, especially during this peak season. While the airconditioning system is functioning, temperature is affected by rehabilitation works. We appeal to you to kindly bear with us, as this is all part of the ongoing project which will ensure T1’s structural integrity for the continued safety of its users,” DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio A. Abaya has said.
The rehabilitation works are the first at the airport terminal in its over 30 years in operation.
“The NAIA T1 Rehabilitation Project began last January and is on schedule to be completed by January 2015. We promised a better NAIA and are on our way to delivering on this promise, but we need the public’s understanding in the meantime that we are working on it,” Abaya also said.
Structural retrofitting, certain architectural works, and the improvement of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection facilities are the components of the P1.3-billion rehabilitation project.
The DOTC has said the improvements at NAIA 3 will enable that terminal to handle more passengers.
“The full operation of Terminal 3 will allow a faster and more pleasant experience for passengers flying in and out of Manila. This will also boost the administration’s tourism efforts and make air travel more convenient and efficient, by doubling Terminal 3’s annual capacity to 13 Million domestic and international passengers,” the DOTC said. — Elizabeth Marcelo/ELR, GMA News
