NAIA chief ready to take over Terminal 3

The Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) is set to start its investigation on the alleged irregularity surrounding the contract of the government with Philippine International Air Terminals Co. (Piatco) to operate the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA 3).

PAGC chairman Dario Rama said yesterday his office has sent instructions to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) to gather all the documents necessary to clarify the issue of the construction of NAIA 3.

Rama has sent a letter to acting Justice Secretary Merceditas Gutierrez and acting Government Corporate Counsel Manuel Teehankee to provide the PAGC with all copies of documents, evidence and findings on the Piatco deal until Friday.

As this developed, NAIA general manager Edgar Manda said they are now ready to take over the operations of NAIA 3 once Malacañang issues the instructions.

Manda, however, clarified that a takeover might not necessarily mean the immediate opening of NAIA 3, citing "technical" reasons.

Among them, Manda said, are the lack of the issuance of necessary certificates, mainly for compliance of engineering and maintenance standards, as well as the lack of operational and procedural concerns, government certificates, licenses, security procedures and the certified list of personnel authorized to work at the new terminal.

Manda also pointed out the newly constructed taxiway has yet to be tested if it can withstand the weight of big commercial aircraft. The taxiway links NAIA 3 to the existing taxiway and runway of NAIA 1 and 2.

On the other hand, Air Transportation Office (ATO) chief Adelberto Yap said communications links leading from the terminal building to air traffic controller tower have yet to be installed.

Yap said they will still have to conduct a simulation flight to determine if the new terminal can cope with the cargo and passenger volume, including the facility for parking spaces.

For his part, Aviation Security Group chief Col. Jesus Versoza said there is no problem on the security of NAIA 3, notwithstanding the presence of a shopping mall at the new terminal.

He said they have already installed appropriate security measures at the entrances of the mall.

The plan for the government takeover of NAIA 3 came following the decision of Malacañang to void the contract with Piatco to build and operate the new airport terminal. – With Rey Arquiza, Sammy Santos, Marichu Villanueva