Tuesday, July 01, 2008 Arroyo checks Naia Terminal 3
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Monday inspected the different sections of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 3 to ensure that they are functioning properly and ready for the planned opening this month.
Arroyo, upon her arrival in the country at 2:30 a.m. Monday from her 10-day visit to the United States, also led the "dry run" for the operation of the airport facility.
She was accompanied by First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo and Camarines Sur Representative Diosdado Ignacio Arroyo, his wife Viktoria and children Evie and Digi.
Also with the President were several lawmakers led by Deputy Speaker Amelita Villarosa and Cabinet members, namely, Finance Secretary Margarito Teves; Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr.; Press Secretary Jesus Dureza; Trade Secretary Peter Favila; and Presidential political adviser Ignacio Bunye.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the "dry run" is necessary to test the different systems and determine which sectors of the terminal still need improvement or modification from the air conditioning to the escalators, and the carousel to the whole facility itself.
"This is a dry run. This is not an official opening because we want to test the systems. There are many systems that need be tested. The President wants to see how things are going. She wants to have a feel if indeed in case the legal aspect is finished," he said.
The President entered Bay 116 where she was accorded arrival honors by the Philippine Air Force Honor Guards and greeted by Ermita, Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Alfonso Cusi, MIAA assistant general manager for security Angel Atutubo and Task Force Naia-3 chief Michael Defensor.
Arroyo was being briefed by Defensor on the preparations when she passed by the terminal's immigration area at the second floor and moved on to the Customs area on the ground floor before proceeding to the carousel where the baggages of the passengers are released.
The President then remarked of certain concerns over the supposed "slow" release of baggage, which she wants to be improved. She also ordered the immediate opening of the terminal in three weeks.
After posing for a picture taking with some of the passengers, Arroyo then proceeded to the Villamor Airbase to send off relief goods composed of food packs, medicines, wheelbarrows and shovels sent to Typhoon Frank victims in Iloilo and Aklan before proceeding to Malacañang.
The President after a few hours of rest proceeded to the town of Baler in Aurora Province for the 10 a.m. celebration of the 109th anniversary of the Siege of Baler in observance of the 6th Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day and to Clark in Pampanga Province for the meeting of the Regional Development Council 3 around noon.
Defensor, in a separate interview, hoped that the terminal would be opened to service domestic flights of PAL Express, Air Philippines and Cebu Pacific in two to three weeks.
He said the terminal would be ready for international flights in six to nine months.
"At least three weeks (from now) for domestic flights. For international, we hope to have it in six months to nine months," he said adding that with the legal issues already settled, the government could prepare for its eventual opening. (JMR/Sunnex)
