Naia’s shutdown: Who’s accountable for utter negligence?

The power outage and technical glitch that crippled the country’s flight operations on New Year’s Day was a tragic incident that was definitely caused by “utter negligence.”

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) should immediately conduct its own inquiry/investigation to shed light regarding the incident and make immediate recommendations to avoid a similar situation from happening in the future by focusing on the following:

– Determine the government agency (Manila International Airport Authority or Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines) primarily responsible/accountable for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s (Naia) shutdown.

– Pinpoint the agency responsible for the preventive maintenance system of all the equipment/machineries/etc., to ensure the seamless and uninterruptible Naia operations.

– Identify the agency responsible for evaluating and making recommendations on the repair/replacement of outmoded equipment in Naia.

– Ascertain the agency responsible for ensuring that our equipment and operating systems are of international standards.

– Recommend the extent of the government’s accountability for the affected passengers.

– Penalize the negligent official/s primarily responsible/accountable for the shutdown.

Among others, the aforesaid parameters would aid in identifying the cause/s of negligence, as well as to penalize those erring officials responsible/accountable for the shutdown of flight operations.

Results of the Senate’s own inquiry in aid of legislation can be used as inputs to the DOTr’s internal investigation/recommendations.

We cannot afford to have a similar shameful incident in the future that would tremendously affect the country’s tourism industry.

Safety is everybody’s concern!

Emiliano Manahan Jr.,

advocate and author