Ridiculous and risky

Open umbrellas inside a building seemed a particularly appropriate metaphor for the state of the once-premier airport named after a modern-day hero. And right after a major rehabilitation effort, too!

Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 gained global notoriety when it was ranked the world’s worst airport in 2011 by travelers complaining about safety, staff and facilities. That year, part of the 30-year-old terminal’s ceiling actually fell.

The Manila International Airport Authority has tried to remove that disheartening tag from Terminal 1. A massive P1.3-billion rehab project conducted by construction giant DM Consunji Inc. resulted in the passenger area expanded, the cooling system fixed, the equipment improved, and the look of the terminal redesigned. Just last April, MIAA General Manager Jose Angel Honrado pointed out the improvements during a flag-raising ceremony: “You notice that Terminal 1 looks cleaner, brighter, wider and cooler. Gone are the days of falling parapets, leaking pipes, rising temperatures and cramped and congested spaces,” he said.

But rain proved to be another thing altogether. A summer thunderstorm hit Pasay City and laid bare the fact that the building hadn’t been properly prepared for bad weather. Last May 27, rain leaked through the roof and into the predeparture lounges and the east and west concourses. Picture the scene: Airport staff holding umbrellas aloft to ensure that passengers would not get soaked or lose their footing; pails and tarps scattered strategically to catch the leaks …

It turned out, according to reports, that DMCI had stripped off the waterproofing over the concourses to apply carbon fiber reinforced polymer, which is used for structural retrofitting. Naia Terminal 1 manager Dante Basanta was quoted as saying that another company was supposed to come in and apply the waterproofing, but that DMCI did not expect strong rain because it was then the blistering height of summer. “But then it rained on May 27,” Basanta said, “so the water seeped through to the concourses.”

DMCI has since apologized for the unintended waterworks and completed the structural retrofitting on June 3. The waterproofing proceeded immediately afterwards, Basanta said. Mercifully, despite thunderstorms coming frequently, no more leaks.

But more than leaking ceilings, sodden carpets and airport personnel scrambling to hold umbrellas over harried passengers, the sudden malfunction of the control tower radar added danger and major inconvenience to mere aggravation and black humor. On the same day the roofing was fixed, the essential radar went on the fritz for over an hour. The primary and secondary surveillance radars, which pinpoint the position of approaching aircraft, were shut down at around 10 a.m., leaving air traffic controllers to rely on radio communication and visual contact to bring the planes in for a safe landing. The arrival of seven flights was delayed, and one, a flight coming from Incheon, South Korea, had to be diverted to Clark International Airport.

The spokesperson of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Eric Apolonio, downplayed what happened as “just a minor computer glitch.” He added: “Fluctuations occasionally happen. The CAAP did not find any damage to the radars that caused them to bog down.” Oh. But that can hardly be comforting to the passengers on those flights coming in for landing guided only by radio communication and visual contact, can it?

Malacañang has expressed confidence that despite “run[ning] into some snags,” the general manager of Naia would see to it that everything would turn out well. Certainly, it’s an eventuality devoutly to be wished.

For now, we’re told, the waterproofing has been completed and the radar is working as it should. But why are plane passengers being subjected to these ridiculous and risky ordeals? At this time when the Philippines is hosting important regional and international conferences? After announcing 2015 as “Visit PH Year”? Is this any way for an investment-grade country to behave? Shape up, people!