AEDC not interested in defective NAIA-3

Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corp. (AEDC) said yesterday it would no longer pursue plans to take over the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal III (NAIA-3) if it is declared a security risk or found to be beyond repair.

Lawyer Perfecto Yasay Jr., lead counsel of AEDC, made the statement after Japanese building contractor Takenaka Corp., hired by the Philippine International Air Terminals Co. (Piatco) to construct the terminal, submitted last week documents and architectural plans to the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) in connection with the ceiling collapse probe.

"If the terminal is declared a security risk or if the terminal is found to have numerous defects that are beyond repair, obviously AEDC can’t take over," Yasay said.

NAIA-3, built on a 65-hectare property of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) base, is expected to accommodate 13 million passengers per year.

The collapse of a portion of a ceiling prompted MIAA to defer a scheduled soft opening last March 31. Takenaka has agreed to shoulder the cost of the repair, according to the Department of Transportation and Communications.

Yasay said if the NAIA-3 is declared as a security risk, it would be better to simply have the terminal demolished. – Sandy Araneta