MANILA, Philippines – The New NAIA Infra Corporation (NNIC) — the new operator of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport — is planning to redesign the passenger drop-off areas at Terminals 1 and 2 following the deadly vehicle crash last weekend.
In a statement on Tuesday, May 6, the Ramon Ang-led airport operator said they are switching to a parallel passenger unloading configuration at the terminals. This would help protect passengers, well-wishers, and airport staff who are on the terminal curbside as they would no longer be in front of vehicles.
The NNIC is also conducting an audit of all security bollards or the vertical post that is supposed to keep vehicles from ramming into pedestrians, and all other protective barriers.
The steel bollards, which were installed in 2019, fell over when a black SUV crashed into it last Sunday, May 4, and rammed through the walkway into the entrance. The incident left two dead, including a five-year-old girl who was dropping off her overseas Filipino worker father, and four others injured.
“This was a serious incident, and we are treating it with the urgency it deserves,” the NNIC said.
“While safeguards were already in place, we recognize that there is always room to improve. We are taking concrete steps to help ensure incidents like this do not happen again.”
The operator said the audit would help figure out if the current structures would need deeper foundations or upgrades.
The Land Transportation Office temporarily suspended the driver’s license of the male behind the wheel of the black SUV. He has also been charged with reckless imprudence.
The Department of Transportation on Monday, May 5, announced new measures to help enhance road safety in the Philippines, including a review of driver education programs, following two road tragedies in the first few days of May.
– Rappler.com