NAIA operator audits P8-M bollards project, redesigns drop-off zones

ADVERTISEMENT

dpo-dps-seal
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!

NAIA operator audits P8-M bollards project, redesigns drop-off zones

Andrea Taguines,

ABS-CBN News

Clipboard

Passengers arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal on May 5, 2025, a day after a deadly car crash. Road safety advocates urged the government and NAIA administration to reconsider the bollard designs and align them with international standards to better protect pedestrians from similar incidents. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The New NAIA Infra Corporation (NNIC) said Tuesday it was auditing all security bollards across the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) after the metal barriers failed to stop an SUV from crashing into Terminal 1 last weekend. 

The bollards project cost P8 million, based on the 2019 accomplishment report of the Manila International Airport Authority, the previous operator of NAIA.

“This will determine where reinforcements—such as deeper foundations or structural upgrades—are needed for existing bollards that were installed in 2019, along with similar protective barriers, particularly in high foot-traffic areas,” NNIC said of the audit. 

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has also ordered an investigation on whether the bollards were substandard.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Ang tatanungin lang naman dito, simple lang, sumunod ba ang MIAA nung binili nila ito noong 2019 sa standards para sa mga airport? Kailangan talaga sumunod tayo sa international standards… Kung merong pagkakamali dyan ay merong pananagutan yan,” said DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon.

But apart from the procurement process, an expert said authorities should also look into how the bollards were installed.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, architect Armando Alli said that the bollard that was hit by the SUV seemed to have been shallowly anchored.

“Yung bollard na nandoon sa sidewalk should have proper anchorage in order to have that stopping power. Dapat talaga nakabaon deep into the, if possible, sa reinforcements… If it was properly constructed, the SUV could’ve easily been stopped by one bollard, it can stop a truck,” said Alli.

Alli added that if there were any issues with the project, the construction manager should have been able to spot them early on or during the construction stage.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Construction managers review the plans, they oversee the entire construction process, including change orders. Kunyari defective nga yung design, that can be changed during construction,” he said.

The NNIC is procuring replacement bollards.

At the same time, NNIC will modify the current diagonal passenger drop-off layout at Terminals 1 and 2 departure areas to a safer, parallel unloading configuration.

The current orientation, where vehicles are directly facing pedestrians at entrance gates, has long been a problem, according to the DOTr.

“This was a serious incident, and we are treating it with the urgency it deserves. 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,” NNIC said in a statement.

ADVERTISEMENT

A 4-year-old girl and a 29-year-old man died in Sunday's crash, with the driver facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in two counts of homicide, multiple physical injuries and damage to property.

RELATED VIDEO: 



ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

It looks like you’re using an ad blocker

Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.

Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.