Solons want thorough probe on faulty bollards at Naia

DEPARTURE TRAGEDY A set of barriers installed at the passenger entrance of Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 has failed to prevent this sport utility vehicle from hitting people sending off their loved ones on May 4. —Grig C. Montegrande

MANILA, Philippines — At least two lawmakers have already called for a comprehensive investigation of the bollards at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), after they failed to stop a wayward car last Sunday leading to the death of two individuals.

Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong and Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas separately urged the government to determine why the bollards were quickly uprooted and destroyed after a Ford Everest went past it and rammed passengers queuing outside the Naia Terminal 1.

According to Adiong, there might be a possibility that substandard materials were used to construct the bollards.

READ: Girl, 5, one of two killed in Naia car accident

“Based on what we have seen, the bollards are becoming an issue now […] and we should look at the budget given to Naia, because why did these bollards gave away so easily when supposedly, these bollards are meant to protect the passengers,” he said in an interview with reporters covering the House of Representatives.

“Why did it broke free at its base? Was it substandard? Why did the bollard that supposedly, is a safety measure for the passengers arriving and departing Manila, was easily uprooted? This incident shouldn’t have happened at the Naia, it is so unfortunate that the victim is a daughter of our OFW (overseas Filipino worker),” he added.

Brosas said it is infuriating to know that the accident—which led to the death of a five-year old child and a 29-year-old male, and the injury of four others—could have been prevented if only safety standards were properly implemented.

“It drives me mad and brings concern that structures meant to protect our people are easily toppled. It is not a simple accident, but a tragedy that could have been avoided if we properly implemented safety standards,” Brosas said.

“This tragedy exposes the deadly consequences of corruption in government projects. When contractors cut corners and use substandard materials, when officials turn a blind eye to proper inspections, it is the Filipino people who pay the ultimate price,” she added.

Someone should be held accountable for the incident, according to Brosas. Furthermore, the lawmaker said that many other projects of the past administration should be reviewed.

“We cannot let this pass without somebody being held accountable. Two lives were lost, including that of a five-year-old child. Those involved in this issue should be held accountable, from the contractors to the officials who signed and approved the project,” she said.

“Despite the billions of funds for the Build, Build, Build projects, why is there such negligence? Corruption in public projects directly places the lives of our people in danger,” she added.

After the accident, several netizens pointed out that bollards should have been strong enough to stop cars from entering areas where people are lining up. Eventually, people started digging up documents with the Commission on Audit to trace back when the bollards were installed.

Documents submitted by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) to the Commission on Audit (COA) in 2020 showed that the installation of the bollards were completed in 2019, during the Naia rehabilitation program for Terminals 1, 2, and 3, specifically on passenger safety, security, comfort, and welfare.

Literary critic Katrina Stuart Santiago, one of those who pointed out that the bollards were part of MIAA’s submissions to COA, said that such substandard equipment—meant to shield passengers—have exposed people instead to danger.

Social media personality and lawyer Alman-Najar Namla also said that the incident at Naia shows that corruption kills—surmising that cutting corners in constructing the bollards and possibly using substandard materials allowed the car to go past the parking area.

On Monday, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon assured the public that they know the concerns with the bollards, noting that both the MIAA and the San Miguel Corp. (SMC) are investigating why the bollards did not stop the vehicle.

READ: MIAA, SMC probing, replacing faulty bollards after Naia accident

MIAA is the government-owned and controlled corporation that serves as the regulatory body for Naia, while SMC is the private concessionaire that operates the airport.

Dizon also said that he spoke with SMC chair and CEO Ramon Ang about the bollards after the accident. In return, SMC said they will replace the bollards.

Aside from the bollards, Dizon has vowed to initiate several reforms within the Department of Transportation (DOTr) after recent vehicular accidents. Prior to this announcement, Dizon said he has tasked agencies to reform existing regulations on public utility vehicle (PUV) operation and in getting driver’s licenses.

Aside from the accident at Naia, 10 individuals died last May 1 while over 30 were injured after a Solid North bus rammed into a van and a sports utility vehicle that were queuing at the northbound toll plaza of SCTEx’s Tarlac Exit.