MIAA, SMC to probe NAIA Terminal 1 bollards after SUV crash
The Manila International Airport Authority and San Miguel Corporation are looking into the bollards at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 after they failed to stop an SUV from crashing into the passenger entrance.
Department of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said during a May 5 press conference that he went to NAIA Terminal 1 to check the bollards after the crash on May 4.
"Napansin ko kagad[...] I wanted to see kung saan lumusot yung Everest. Makikita mo kaagad dun sa bollard na bumigay na hindi siya ganun katibay, obviously nakalusot," he said, adding that the purpose of the bollard is to stop cars.
"Iniimbestigahan 'to ngayon ng MIAA at [SMC]. Mr. Ramon Ang and I spoke about it when we saw it. They said they would look at [the bollards] and most likely they will be replaced by the operator, San Miguel."
In the morning of May 4, a black SUV crashed through the outer railing of NAIA Terminal 1 and into the walkway near the passenger entrance. The incident resulted in two deaths and four injuries.
The Land Transportation Office has ordered a 90-day preventative suspension on the license of the driver, while the NAIA Police Station 1 charged him with reckless imprudence resulting in two counts of homicide, multiple physical injuries, and damage to property.
Upon initial review of CCTV Footage, the DOTr said that there was "no premeditated plan to inflict harm" in the incident.
According to MIAA's 2019 accomplishment report, some P8 million was spent on the installation of security bollards at the curbside area of NAIA Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4. The project was completed on July 26, 2019.
Ang, New NAIA Infra Corp. president, said he would personally shoulder the medical expenses of the four individuals who were injured and provide financial assistance to the families of the two victims who died in the incident.
A new bollard was installed at the passenger entrance of NAIA Terminal 1 on May 5 after the crash, ABS-CBN News reported.
